LEWISTON, Maine -- An inconsistent shooting performance doomed the Bates men's basketball team, as the Bobcats fell to #13 Trinity, 71-44, Friday night at Alumni Gym.
Bates (10-11, 1-6 NESCAC) opened the game ice-cold from the field, missing 12 of their first 13 shots, a drought that wasn't broken until a three-pointer from
David Omasombo at the 10:55 mark of the first half. Despite brief moments of offensive momentum, the Bobcats found themselves in a 32-18 hole at halftime.
The second half saw the Bantams extend their lead, outscoring Bates 39-26, highlighted by a scorching 62.5 percent clip (5-8) from three.
Bates' offensive struggles were evident throughout, shooting just 24 percent from the field (13-55) and 22 percent from three (7-32). The Bobcats also had difficulty converting inside, managing just eight points in the paint compared to Trinity's dominant 32-point effort down low.
Sophomore guard
Brady Coyne continued to be a bright spot for the Bobcats, leading the team with 15 points on 4-10 shooting, including four made three-pointers. Junior
Peter Psyhogeos added eight points, knocking down two of his seven attempts from beyond the arc.
Babacar Pouye made an impact with three blocked shots to go along with five points. First-year guard
Keenan Sparks contributed six points, four rebounds, and a perfect 4-4 mark from the free-throw line.
Trinity (19-3, 6-2 NESCAC) showcased its efficiency, shooting 48 percent (28-58) from the floor and 40 percent (9-22) from three. The Bantams were led by a game-high 19 points from Jared Berry, who hit 7-8 from the field and a perfect 3-3 from deep. Jarrel Okorougo controlled the paint for Trinity, posting a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Bates will have little time to regroup, as they prepare for a major challenge against No. 1-ranked Wesleyan on Saturday at 5 p.m. in Alumni Gym.