Springfield, Mass. - December 31, 2022 - The Springfield College men's basketball team was defeated by Wesleyan, 54-35, in the championship game of the Hampton Inn West Springfield/Naismith Classic on Saturday afternoon. 

The loss dropped Springfield to 3-8 on the year, while the Cardinals record evened out at 5-5. 

Curtiss Blische (Barkhamstad, Conn.) and Zeke Blauner (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.) were named to the all-tournament team for their efforts over the weekend as each scored seven points in the title game.  The Pride connected on 13-of-46 in the game and were outrebounded by a 49-29 margin.  For Wesleyan, Preston Maccoux was named the Most Outstanding Player as he turned in 14 points and nine rebounds and teammate Nicky Johnson joined him on the all-tournament team with nine points, four steals, and three helpers.

John Paulino (Bedford, Mass.) drilled a three-pointer to give the Pride a 3-1 edge at the 16:33 mark, but Wesleyan would take advantage of Springfield's struggles to score as they answered with an 11-1 surge that gave them a 12-3 lead following a Shane Regan three-point play with 9:14 on the clock.  The Cardinals would push their lead to 23-10 on a putback by Shackylle Dezonie with three minutes remaining, only to have Springfield get triples from Panayiotis Kapanides (New Bedford, Mass.) and Blauner down the stretch to make it a 25-16 game at the half.

Tre Hodge (Springfield, Mass.) sliced through the paint for a bucket at 14:43 as the Pride pulled within 29-20, but Johnson would respond with a triple to kickstart an 8-2 push as the visitors lead grew to 15 with 12 mintes left in regulation.  The Cardinals would limit the Pride to 7-of-22 shooting in the half and held on for the championship victory. 

Springfield will open up New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play on Wednesday when it travels to square off with nationally-ranked WPI in a 6 pm tilt. 

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