HENNIKER, N.H. – New England College'S Dezron Wilson (Nashua, N.H.) hit a three-pointer to break a tie with just 2.6 seconds remaining on the clock to lead the Pilgrims past the Lesley University Lynx 75-72 Monday evening in non-conference action on the Pilgrim's campus.
Wilson's game-winner came on the heels of the Lynx tying the game up at 72-72 when senior Corbin Polec (Okemos, Mich.) drilled a triple of his own with just 29-seconds left. After an NEC timeout with nine ticks on the clock, Wilson knocked down his only three-point attempt of the night to grant the Pilgrims their first victory of the season as they even their record at 1-1. The loss drops the Lynx to 0-2 on the year.
NEC never trailed in the first and ended the first twenty minutes with a 38-35 lead. After the break, the Lynx offense wasted little time getting in gear as back-to-back Terrell Toney (Lakewood, Wash.) trey's gave the guests their first lead of the night at 43-41 with just under 17-minutes to go.
The second half continued to be tight as the score was tied six times and the lead changed and on eight different occasions the rest of the way.
The Pilgrims led 68-66 with just 1:48 on the clock before Terrell knocked down his fourth three-ball of the night to put the Lynx up one, 69-68. NEC would answer with a put-back from Dondre James (Whitman, Mass.) and then would extend their edge to three with two free throw's by Wilson.
Polec's three-pointer would tie the game once more but the Lynx were unable to get another shot off following Wilson's triple with just 2.6-seconds left.
NEC freshman Ricky Leonard (Windsor, Conn.) finished with a game-high 20 points on 7-18 from the floor, including four three-pointers. Wilson finished 17 points and dished out a game-high six assists while Frantzy Georges (Uniondale, N.Y.) led all rebounders with 11 on the night.
Toney led all Lynx scorers finishing with 18 points on 7-14 shooting from the floor to go with his four rebounds and three assists. Junior Devon Mayo (Newport News, Va.) added 15 points, five boards, four assists, and two steals while freshman Xeo Golding (Windermere, Fla.) finished with 13 points. Freshman Mahlik McLeod (Elmont, N.Y.) pulled down a team-high seven boards while Polec chipped in with six points and six caroms.
The Lynx shot 42-percent (28-66) from the field, while the Pilgrims finished shooting 39-percent from the floor (27-69) on the evening. Lesley also held the slight 43-40 advantage on the boards, while both teams finished with 15 turnovers. The NEC bench outscored the Lesley reserves 12-7.
Lesley will open their home schedule when they return to action on Wednesday when they host non-conference foe Green Mountain College. New England College will be back in action on Thursday when they travel to take on Eastern Nazarene College.