Springfield, Mass. - December 31, 2023 - The Springfield College men's basketball team was edged by Bowdowin , 72-67, in the consolation game of the 34th Hampton Inn West Springfield/Naismith Classic on Sunday afternoon in Blake Arena.

The win boosted Bowdoin's record to 6-7, while Springfield dipped to 3-7. 

Competing in its final non-conference game of the season, the Pride was paced by Gary Bess (Miami, Fla.) who tied for a game-high total of 19 points, while Zeke Blauner (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.) netted 14 points and Curtiss Blische (Barkhamstad, Conn.) totaled 11 points, seven boards, and three steals.  Tre Hodge (Springfield, Mass.) added 13 points off the bench for Springfield which finished the game shooting 23-for-58 (40%) and turned 22 Bowdoin turnovers in 22 points.

Bowdoin owned a 45-28 advantage on the boards in the game, with Nolan Bessire pulling down a game-best 12 rebounds and Michael Simonds totaling 19 points and 10 boards.  James McGowan netted 16 points and handed out four helpers and Kevin Reeves contributed 10 points.  The Polar Bears made 12-of-26 attempts from beyond the arc in the victory. 

After Bowdoin earned a 24-20 lead on a leaner in the lane by Alex Halpern, Hodge connected on an off-balance jumper to kick off an 11-0 run over a 2:29 span which was fueled by a trio of triples, including two from Blauner.  A pull-up jumper from Bess with 3:21 on the clock would give the hosts their largest lead of the half at 31-24, but the Polar Bears would respond to get within 32-31 following two freebies from McGowan with just over a minute to play.  Josiah Evely (Toronto, Ontario) connected Springfield's fifth three of the half as the horn sounded to send the Pride into the halftime break with a 37-33 advantage.

Hodge would knock down a three pointer to allow the hosts to lead 47-43 with 13:32 remaining in regulation, but Bowdoin surged back with a 18-5 burst over the next six minutes as a McGowan three-pointer made it a 61-52 contest with 7:45 on the clock. The Pride made a run of their own, putting together a 15-6 scoring spree capped off by a mid-range jumper by Bess with just over two minutes remaining to tie the game up at 67 apiece. However, Springfield would miss its last four shot attempts in the final 90 seconds and Bowdoin cashed in on 5-of-6 from the line to seal the victory. 

Springfield hits the court again Wednesday when it continues NEWMAC play when it hosts Wheaton at 7 pm. 

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Hampton Inn West Springfield/Naismith Classic All-Tournament Team
Springfield - Gary Bess
Bowdoin - James McGowan
Mount Saint Vincent - DJ Tucker
Mount Saint Vincent - Joshua Cabezudo
Westfield State - Brendon Hamilton
Westfield State - Lid Moreland (MVP)