LEWISTON, Maine -- Despite falling 70–63 to No. 13 Tufts University at Alumni Gym Sunday afternoon, Bates College men's hoops clinched its first NESCAC Tournament berth since the 2021–22 season.
With the postseason spot secured, Bates will head into next weekend's NESCAC Championship Tournament as the No. 5 seed and travel to face fourth-seeded Amherst on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. The Mammoths defeated Bates, 71–50, earlier this season on Jan. 9 in Amherst, Massachusetts.
Prior to tipoff, Bates honored seniors
Brady Coyne,
Elliott Cravitz,
Aydan Gedeon-Hope,
Chiwer Mayen,
David Omasombo, and
Peter Psyhogeos.
Cravitz jump-started the Senior Day festivities with an early offensive burst, scoring eight of Bates' first 10 points. The senior guard finished with 10 points, setting the tone for an inspired opening stretch by the Bobcats.
The first half featured multiple lead changes, but Tufts capitalized on Bates turnovers to gain separation late in the period. The Jumbos (19-4, 8-2 NESCAC) scored nine points off turnovers and carried a 37–31 advantage into halftime.
Bates responded coming out of the break behind the shooting of
Sean O'Leary, who knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to trim the deficit to three. O'Leary finished with 10 points and four rebounds.
Chris Bianco provided a spark off the bench, contributing seven points and helping apply pressure on both ends as the Bobcats stayed within striking distance.
Coyne led Bates in scoring, tallying 14 points to go along with four rebounds and two assists, with much of his production coming in the second half.
Babacar Pouye added 10 points and six rebounds, while Psyhogeos provided a balanced performance of four points, four rebounds, and three assists.
Bates' bench played a key role in keeping the game tight, outscoring Tufts' reserves 31-17 and supplying steady energy throughout the second half.
The Bobcats shot 41.4 percent from the field (24-of-58) and connected on seven three-pointers, while Tufts finished at 43.4 percent shooting.
Coming into the contest undefeated on the Alumni Gym hardwood, the Bobcats finish a remarkable 10-1 at home this season.
