NEAL SCORES 15 IN LOSS TO LEOPARDS 76-58

Weston, Mass.—The Regis College men's basketball team was defeated Saturday (Jan. 29) by Wentworth Institute of Technology. The Pride was defeated by the score of 76-58.  The Pride moves to 12-7 overall on the season and 5-2 in The Commonwealth Coast Conference.  The Leopards move to 10-8 overall on the season and are 5-2 in TCCC play. 

The Leopards opened up the game with a deep three-point shot from Adam Dombrowski (Dunstable, Mass./Groton-Dunstable) bringing the lead to 3-0. The Pride followed up with a lay-up from freshman Robert Edwards (Idaho Falls, Idaho/Phillips Exeter Academy) to trail by one.  The Leopards would tag on a 10-2 run that was halted when Derrick Neal (Boston, Mass./Brighton) hit a three pointer to stop the scoring run. Neal's team high of 15 points allowed the Pride to cut the lead to five.  

This Leopard lead would extend to 10 under the strong post play of Sam Herrick (Duxbury, Mass./Duxbury (Univ. of New Hampshire ). The Pride managed to capitalize on the errant passes committed by the Leopards offense, but could not put a halt to Dombrowski's scoring.  The score entering half time was 38-23 in favor of the leopards.

The second half opened with the Leopards hitting a deep field goal from Eric Prue (Auburn, Maine/Edward Little) bringing the lead to 17. The Pride's bench stepped up in the second half with Darrin Kelley (South Dennis, Mass./Dennis-Yarmouth Regional ) adding 13 points. Freshman LaQuinn Shuler (White Plains, N.Y./Valhalla) added four points to bring the Pride's bench scoring total to 25. 

This extra effort was not enough as the Leopards were able to continue pushing the ball on offense. Derek Mayo (Casco, Maine/Lake Region (Bridgton Academy) chipped in the second half with 10 points.  Herrick continued to control the boards for the Leopards, tallying a game high of nine.  This strong offensive play was challenged by the Pride as Neal continued to force turnovers.  Late in the second half Neal forced his fifth steal of the game and was able to connect with Kelly for a lay-up.  The leopards finished the game by controlling the ball and forcing fouls in the paint. The final score at the end of the second half was 76-58.

The Pride's next match-up is Wednesday (Feb. 2) against Gordon College with the game to start at 7:30 p.m.

The Leopards next match-up will be Wednesday (Feb. 2) against the University of New England with the game set to start at 7:30 p.m.