MEDFORD, Mass. -- In their final game of the season Saturday, the Bates men's basketball team pushed No. 14 Tufts to the limit, but ultimately fell 83-75 in overtime at Cousens Gym. The contest marked the Bobcats' fourth overtime game of the year, and comes one week after the garnet and white forced OT at home vs. No. 1 Wesleyan.

The Bobcats set the tone early, jumping out to a 10-5 lead within the first five minutes. Bates' largest lead of the first half came at the 4:02 mark when Peter Psyhogeos finished a layup to put the Bobcats ahead 31-24. Tufts answered with a quick 7-4 spurt to cut the deficit to 35-32 at halftime. 

Bates opened the second half with momentum, scoring the first four points behind two jumpers from Babacar Pouye. A three-pointer from Brady Coyne at 16:20 pushed the Bobcats' lead to 44-35, and a layup by Keenan Sparks gave Bates its largest lead of the game at 52-44 with 11:58 remaining.

Tufts responded with a crucial 10-0 run over the next three minutes, fueled by back-to-back three-pointers from Dylan Reilly and Quinn Cain. The Jumbos continued to chip away, eventually tying the game at 58-58 with 5:52 remaining after a layup by James Morakis.

Both teams traded baskets down the stretch, with Pouye drilling a three-pointer at 4:35 to push Bates ahead 63-58. Tufts countered with an 8-0 run, but a clutch three-pointer from Sparks with 52 seconds left tied the game yet again, this time at 66-all. 

Following two free throws from Morakis to put Tufts up 68-66 with 27 seconds left, Coyne was fouled with 10 seconds remaining and sank both free throws, sending the game into overtime.

Tufts took control early in the extra period with a layup from Liam Kennelly, followed by a three-pointer from Reilly to make it 73-68. Bates struggled to find offensive rhythm in overtime, going 3-for-9 from the field and missing both free-throw attempts.

After a putback by Psyhogeos cut the deficit to 75-70 with 1:22 left, Tufts closed the game at the free-throw line. Gyimesi and Morakis combined to go 6-for-6 in the final minute, sealing the win for the Jumbos (20-4, 8-2 NESCAC).

Pouye led Bates with 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting, including two three-pointers. Coyne finished with 15 points, adding six rebounds and two assists. Psyhogeos contributed 10 points and a game-high nine rebounds, while Decker (13) and Cravitz (12) combined for 25 points off the bench.

For Tufts, Morakis led all scorers with 21 points, while Gyimesi recorded a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Reilly added 13 points, hitting three key three-pointers in the win.

The Bobcats close out the 2024-25 campaign at 10-14 overall (1-9 NESCAC).