Springfield, Mass. - February 4, 2023 - The Springfield College men's basketball team was defeated by visiting Wheaton College, 84-71, in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action on Saturday afternoon in Blake Arena.

Springfield is now 6-15, 3-7 on the year in conference play, while the Lyons boosted their record to 11-9, 6-4.

Both Tre Hodge (Springfield, Mass.) and Josiah Evely (Toronto, Ontario) came off the bench to score a team-best 13 points for the Pride, while Daryl Costa (Providence, R.I.) netted 10 points and snagged five steals.  Wheaton was led by Aaaron Williams, who produced 25 points and 12 boards, while Alex Carlisle connected for 23 points, six boards, and three asssists and Ty Murphy added 15 points on five trifectas of his own.  The Lyons held a 43-33 edge on the glass and knocked down 25-of-27 from the charity stripe in a game where there was a total of 51 fouls called. 

Wheaton would score the first seven points of the game in the opening two-plus minutes and extend its lead to 18-8 when Murphy drilled a triple at 13:12.  John Paulino (New Bedford, Mass.) would respond with a step-back trifecta on Springfield's next possession, and the Pride would make it a 20-15 game with 9:42 on the clock following a pair of freebies by Evely.  However, Wheaton would pour on a 20-2 run over the next five-plus minutes to have its lead balloon to 43-17.  The Pride would push back with a 7-2 spurt to close the half as it went into the break trailing 45-24 following a frame where it was called for six offensive fouls.   The Lyons turned 13 Springfield turnovers into 21 points as Williams and Murphy combined for 26 points in the opening frame while Evely scored 12 for the hosts.

The Pride scored the opening six points of the second half, as a triple from Panayiotis Kapanides (Bedford, Mass.) would pull the Pride within 45-30.  However, the visitors answered with a 13-2 run in less than three minutes to take control of the game for good following a Carlisle pull up jumper at 15:53 which made it 58-32. Springfield made a late push in the final minutes to get within 13 points on a pair of free throws by Nate Gryczka (Keene, N.H.), but Wheaton would hold on for the win.

Springfield will travel to Babson next Wednesday for a 7 pm contest. 

For the latest on Springfield College Athletics, follow the Pride on social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Fans can also download the Springfield "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market. Springfield will play again at home on Wednesday when it hosts MIT at 6 pm.