WATERVILLE, Me. - In the first of two crucial North Atlantic Conference games to close out the regular season, the Lesley University men's basketball team defeated Thomas College 87-81 in overtime. The victory improved Lesley's record to 9-15 (7-5 NAC) while the Terriers dropped to 9-16 (2-11 NAC).
Senior Mark Stevens (Las Vegas, Nev.) led the Lynx with a game-high 29 points as he hit 68.8% of his shots. The captain was 2-of-5 from beyond the arc, 5-of-6 from the line on the game, and scored seven of the teams 14 points in overtime.
Jon Cruz (Haverhill, Mass.) continued to play well for the Lynx as complemented Stevens' effort with 15 points, three steals and two assists. Guard Joe Chatman (Boston, Mass.) found his teammates often throughout the game as he tallied nine assists to go along with 13 points, three steals, and a block. Off the bench, junior Malcolm Andrews (Medford, Mass.) contributed with 12 points.
Andrew Duncanson (Portland, Me.) led the Terriers with 24 points and six assists. Three other Thomas players were in double-figures with Isaiah Brathwaite (Farmington, Me.), Michael Burchill (Saco, Me.) and Darrell Alexander (Fairfield, Texas) scoring 18, 15 and 10 points, respectively.
The Terriers held the advantage going into the second half leading 45-39. With 8:26 left in the game, Chatman hit a three-pointer to give the Lynx their first lead of the second half. The two teams exchanged the lead in the games final minutes, but with 0:33 seconds left and the Lynx down three, Stevens hit his biggest shot of the night, nailing a clutch three-pointer to send the game to overtime.
Thomas took the quick lead in the extra period, but the Lynx would not be denied their third straight conference victory. Chatman sealed the victory with free throws and Lesley walked away with a big win.
Lesley will take on UMaine-Farmington on Saturday, a game that could determine whether or not the Lynx host a first round playoff game. Tonight's game was Thomas' final game of the regular season.
To learn more about the Lesley University men's basketball team, please visit their website.