BRUNSWICK, Maine — In a defensive slugfest, the Bates men's basketball team matched its best start in over a decade, improving to 7–0 with a gritty 54–50 road win at Bowdoin on Wednesday night. It is Bates' first 7–0 opening since the program's historic 2014–15 Sweet 16 season, and the fewest points the Bobcats have needed in a victory since a 54–51 road win at Babson on November 16, 2014.

Despite one of their colder shooting nights of the season (29% overall, 17% from three), the Bobcats controlled the glass (43 rebounds), defended relentlessly (10 steals), and made every key play down the stretch at Morrell Gymnasium.

Junior Babacar Pouye powered his way to his team-leading fourth double-double of the season with 14 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. The junior scored 10 of his 14 points in the second half. 

In a game where offense was at a premium, guard Jamari Robinson delivered a critical lift off the bench with a team-high 15 points, including two huge threes in the second stanza. Senior guard Peter Psyhogeos added eight points and eight rebounds and knocked down two clutch free throws with 10 seconds remaining to seal the win.

Bates led 20–16 at halftime after an opening period highlighted by senior Elliott Cravitz's pair of early threes and a defensive effort that held Bowdoin to just five first-half field goals. But the hosts surged ahead in the second half behind sophomore Ray Cuevas, who scored 19 of his game-high 23 points after the break. Cuevas' three-straight scoring possessions gave Bowdoin a 30–26 advantage with 12:43 remaining.

The Polar Bears (5-2) would proceed to increase its cushion to a game-best six points on two occasions, last doing so leading by a score of 34-28 with 11:00 to go.

Bates responded with timely shot-making. Robinson drilled a three to stop the bleeding at the 10:40 mark to slice the Bobcats' deficit to three. The first-year then followed with a pair of free throws at 10:00 to make the score 34-33 Bowdoin before Pouye poured in a pair of his own 21 seconds later to give the garnet and white the lead for good.

Senior guard Brady Coyne added eight points, including two free throws with 23 seconds to go in regulation.  

Bates' bench outscored Bowdoin's reserves, 25–12.

The Bobcats now slip into a much-deserved hiatus before returning to action on Monday, Dec. 15 with a 6:00 p.m. home contest vs. Thomas.