Saturday, February 2, 2013 (Newton, Massachusetts) - Trailing by three points (64-61) with the final seconds expiring, Mount Ida College freshman point guard Brandon Castro (Dorchester, MA/Arlington) launched a desperation three pointer in the final possession of the contest attempting to tie the game getting fouled in the process. Castro sunk the first two shots, pulling within one (64-63), front ending the final try that luckily was rebounded by the Mustangs giving senior guard and Captain Brett Heimann (Miami, FL/Lasell College) an off balance shot from the free throw line that ultimately rimmed out snapping a two-game Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) winning streak for the host falling (64-63) to visiting Emerson College Saturday afternoon in a wild finish.
The first half was ugly offensively with Mount Ida shooting a mere 20 percent from the floor while the Lions were not far behind at 31 percent giving Emerson a two point advantage (27-25) heading into the midway point. Although trailing by 10 points four different occasions throughout the second stanza, the Mustangs took over the lead with six minutes (5:43) remaining in the contest (57-54). The visitors would retake the advantage in the final minutes hanging on through the rest of the game to steal a 64-63 GNAC victory.
After two straight GNAC wins over two top teams in the league, Mount Ida slumps to an overall record of 7-15, 3-12 in conference action. Emerson continues to prove their worth snatching their third consecutive GNAC win improving to 12-9 for the season, 10-4 in league play.
Four Mustangs scored 10 points apiece led by senior center and Captain Jeff McNair (Brockton, MA/Brockton) adding six rebounds in the process. Sophomore guard Aaron Kelly (Norwalk, CT/Norwalk), freshman forward John Fortes (New Bedford, MA/New Bedford) and Castro all scored 10 points each respectively. Mount Ida junior forward/center Kenny Jean (Dorchester, MA/Brighton) was solid underneath the basket for the hosts grabbing 13 caroms adding nine points while freshman forward Cam Walker (New Bedford, MA/New Bedford) recorded a team-high 13 points.
For the Lions, four players landed in double figures led by sophomore forward Patrick Lowndes (Granby, CT/Granby Memorial) with a game-high 14 points and eight boards on 8-11 shooting with all his baskets coming via lay-ups. The only double-double of the contest belonged to Emerson junior guard Jon Goldberg (Stowe, VT/Rice Memorial) with 13 points and 13 caroms including 11 defensive rebounds. Freshman forward Brain Hurley (South Boston, MA/Thayer Academy) notched 11 points while junior guard James Rhodes (Hebron, CT/East Catholic) tallied 10 points respectively.
After sinking the opening two baskets of the contest, The Mustangs fell behind through the first six and a half minutes (13:33) down 15-6 following a Hurley lay-in by the visitors capping a gross offensive effort to start the game on both sides.
Emerson held a small margin through the ladder part of the first stanza up until the hosts regained the advantage (22-21) with 3:23 to go before the break after two good Mustang free throws from Kelly.
Mount Ida would ultimately surrender the lead in the final minute heading into the locker room trailing 27-25 with Lion freshman forward Sean Duffy (Berwyn, PA/Conestoga) notching the final bucket. Although it was only a small two point advantage at the break, the hosts netted only free throws from 12:42 to 2:45 going 12-14 at the line during the 10 minute stretch to stay within striking distance.
Emerson pulled away early in the second half leading by a game-high 10 points through the opening three minutes (17:03) of action capped on a good trifecta by Lion freshman guard Michael Thorpe (Newton, MA/Newton North) leading 39-29.
The visiting advantage hovered around double digits holding at 10 points three more times throughout the final frame up 46-36 following a Rhodes jumper with 13:39 to go in the game.
McNair ignited Mount Ida's comeback that ensued for the next five minutes (9:00) scoring multiple key basket paired with solid rebounding knotting the score at 49-49 capped on a Fortes lay-in.
The Mustangs eventually regained the advantage for the first time since the opening half up 57-54 with 5:43 remaining ended with a successful three pointer from Castro.
Emerson surged to take over the lead, following a clutch trifecta from Rhodes, going ahead 60-57 with 4:27 to go before the final buzzer.
The visitors clung to their small margin through the next three minutes with the hosts desperately scrambling to keep pace pulling within one (62-61) after two freebie's from Kelly with 48 seconds left.
Mount Ida would foul to retake the possession watching Rhodes sink both attempts giving the Lions a three point advantage (64-61) with only seconds remaining.
Castro launched the final desperation shot trying to re-knot the score and was fortunately fouled in the process being awarded three foul shots to stifle the action and send the game into extra time if successful.
After knocking down the first two, Castro front ended the final attempt that was rebounded by the home team with 2.9 seconds showing enough for one last frantic shot from the foul line. The attempt rimmed out after finding the middle of the back board handing the Mustangs a heart breaking 64-63 GNAC loss.
Mount Ida will travel to league member Norwich University Tuesday evening with game time slated for 7:00 p.m. The Lions will head to GNAC foe Suffolk University the same day with tip-off coming at 7:00 p.m. as well.