Mello Lifts Men’s Basketball Over New England College

BOSTON, Mass. – The Wentworth Institute of Technology men's basketball team earned its second straight win with a 77-65 victory over the New England College Pilgrims on Thursday night. Chase Mello led the way with 25 points and five assists, shooting 8-13 from the field. Russel Dolabany added 22 points, shooting 6-9 from three, and dished out three assists. Donovan Holway tallied 12 points to go with six boards and two steals. Colin Mannke was a big factor on the glass with a team-high eight rebounds paired with two assists and two steals. Wentworth shot 50% from the field and 40% from behind the arc.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Leopards got off to a fast start with Dylan Olson's jumper opening the scoring. Mello and Dolabany hit back-to-back threes to make it an 8-0 start for Wentworth. Dolabany and Mello hit threes in the next few minutes to extend the lead to 12 points five minutes into the game. Dolabany stayed hot from behind the arc, knocking down two more threes in a minute as the Leopards took a 22-8 lead. Mello and Olson combined for five points and Wentworth led 27-11 at the midway point of the half.
• The Pilgrims cut the lead down to 11 before Mello knocked down a three to stop the run. Jayden Williams and Mannke added buckets as the lead grew to 34-19 with five minutes to play in the half. The Pilgrims hung around trailing by 13 points but Dolabany's three and a jumper from Olson made it 42-29 at the break.
• NEC came out of the break with new energy, stifling the Leopards' offense while cutting the lead down to four just four minutes into the half. Mello ended the run with a jumper and Dolabany's layup pushed the lead back to nine. A three from Josh Robie was answered immediately by a Mello jumper with the Wentworth lead now at eight. Holway hit one of two free throws to give the Leopards a 57-47 lead with 10 minutes left.
• The Pilgrims continued to battle and stay within range, cutting the lead to seven points behind a three from Robie. Dolabany and Holway added to the tally to keep a nine-point edge with five minutes to play. Luke Montejo's three made it 69-61 and NEC called a timeout with just under four to go. Holway and Mello scored two quick buckets to push the lead back to nine. The Leopards held off a push from the Pilgrims and came away with a 77-65 victory.

THE SERIES

• Tonight was the 38^th all-time meeting between the teams. Wentworth has won the last 10 matchups.

NEXT UP

• The Leopards close out the season with a trip to New England College on Saturday.

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