Springfield, Mass. — January 21, 2025 — The Springfield College men's basketball team erased a 15-point first half deficit on Tuesday night en route to an 81-75 victory over Emerson College in a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) matchup in Blake Arena.
Springfield improved to 6-10 overall and 3-4 in NEWMAC play, while Emerson dropped to 7-9, 2-5.
Cedric Rodriguez (Burlington, Mass.), Jarron Flynn (Roslindale, Mass.), Josiah Evely (Toronto, Ontario), and Curtiss Blische (Barkhamsted, Conn.) all scored in double-figures in the victory.
Rodriguez paced the group with 13 points, while Flynn and Evely both had 12 and Blische added ten points on the night for the Pride.
Trailing 27-12 with 9:35 remaining in the first half, the Pride outscored their counterparts 28-13 down the stretch to force a 40-40 stalemate at the break.
Springfield's run was sparked by eight different scorers (11-15 FG, 6-6 FT), with Evely and John Paulino (New Bedford, Mass.) leading the way with six points apiece. Paulino also finished the contest with six assists and five rebounds, both team-highs.
The Pride mounted the comeback despite seeing Emerson register its best first half field goal percentage this season as the Lions shot 59.3-percent and converted 16 times from the floor including seven times from behind the arc.
Springfield's other first half highlights included a 50-percent effort from the floor (16-32), winning the rebounding matchup 18-12, including 7-1 on the offensive boards, and outscoring Emerson in the paint, 26-16 and off the bench, 17-8.
In the second stanza, the Pride limited the visitors to a 38.7-percent field goal percentage and took away the three-pointer with strong closeouts and consistent defensive pressure.
Springfield also showcased its scoring depth once again in the final 20 minutes of action as eight student-athletes contributed in the scoring column. Rodriguez (8), Josh Hartley (Brooklyn, N.Y.) (7), Flynn (6), and Blische (6) ignited the majority of the offense.
The Pride led by as many as 13 points at 78-65 with 59 seconds to play thanks in large part to a 26-13 run from the 13:25 mark on.
Overall, Springfield shot 52.5-percent from the floor, canned two three-pointers on six attempts, and connected on 75-percent of its free throws (15-20). Emerson registered a 48.3 field goal percentage (28-58), a 37.6 three-point field goal percentage, and a 61.5 free throw percentage (8-13).
Springfield hosts Clark this Thursday in a NEWMAC clash at 7:00 pm.
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