WALTHAM, Mass. -- Playing in the opening contest of the 2023 UAA Challenge, hosted by Brandeis University, the hometown Judges never trailed in Friday's showdown vs. Bates College, defeating the Bobcats by a score of 68-58 in Red Auerbach Arena.

Matthew Cadogan's layup with 8:36 remaining in the first half provided Brandeis a 14-point surplus of 27-13. The Bobcats proceeded to outpace the Judges, 12-6, over the final minutes of the stanza to inch to within eight (33-25) at intermission.

The Judges jumped out of the gates quickly in the second, opening a game-high 16-point advantage of 45-29 after a 12-4 run over the initial 5:31 of the half. Bates responded with a 26-11 surge of its own (capped by a Simon McCormick three-pointer) to cut the Brandeis lead to a lone point (56-55) with 4:51 left in regulation. 

Bates' comeback came to a close at that point as the Judges claimed control the rest of the way, finishing the game on a 12-3 push to seal the non-conference victory.

Four members of the Brandeis lineup reached double-digits in the scoring column. Sam Adusei topped all players with 18 points over his 37 minutes. Jake Bender and Gilbert Otoo followed with 15 and 14 points, respectively, while Quron Zene added 11 points of his own for the Judges (4-2).

Elliott Cravitz, for the second time this season (11/21 vs. Southern Maine), authored a 17-point performance and drained five three-pointers in a game as the sophomore guard paced the garnet and white over his 26 minutes of action. Marc Begin II, playing his sixth career game, reached double-digits for the fourth time with the first-year netting 12 points in the effort.

McCormick ended the evening with five assists and three steals, to go along with eight points, in 32 total minutes.

The Bobcats (1-7) conclude the two-day Challenge Saturday at 1:00 p.m. when they take the court vs. 16 Emory University. The Eagles (5-1) defeated Colby College, 87-57, in Friday's nightcap.