Johnson scores eight points, brings down nine boards

NORTON, Mass. – The Wheaton College men's basketball team lost to Babson College, 65-44, on Wednesday night in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action at Emerson Gymnasium.

Wheaton sophomore forward Mike O'Loughlin (Milford, N.H./Milford) scored a team-high nine pionts, five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Senior forward Brian Johnson (Roxbury, Mass./Brimmer and May School) registered eight points and a team-high nine boards to go along with two assists and two steals.

Senior guard Scott Faucher (Lebanon, N.H./Kimball Union Academy) and sophomores Mike Cannon (New York, N.Y./Hyde School) and Eddie Capstick (Worcester, Mass./Marianapolis Prep) each added five points apiece. Capstick also had five rebounds and one steal in 21 minutes played.

Babson junior guard Matt Palazini (Franklin, Mass./Franklin) led all scorers with 15 points on 4-of-11 shooting, four rebounds and one steal. Classmate Kenny Ross (Furlong, Pa./Academy of the New Church) compiled 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. Sophomore center David Mack (Holden, Mass./Worcester Academy) and freshman guard Travis Sheldon (Woodstock, N.Y./Milton Academy) tallied ten points each.

The Beavers shot 42.9-percent (24-for-56) from the field, 27.8-percent (5-for-18) from three-point range and 80.0-percent (12-for-15) at the free throw line. The Lyons connected on 30.9-percent (17-for-55) of its field goal attempts, 20.0-percent (6-for-30) from long distance and 33.3-percent (5-for-15) at the line. Babson outrebounded Wheaton, 46-33, and outscored the hosts 34-22 in the paint.

Tied 14-14 with 11:01 remaining in the first half, Babson went on a 15-5 run over an 8:36 span to take a 29-19 advantage. Ross paced the offense with five points finishing on a layup at the 9:31 mark and a three-pointer with 7:39 on the scoreboard. Mack added four points while John Wickey (Manchester, N.H./Manchester Central), Peter Foley (Wells, Maine/Cheverus) and Russell Braithwaite (Brooklyn, N.Y./St. Mark's School) all contributed two points to the scoring run.

Babson closed out the first half with a 34-19 lead after the first stanza showcased four lead changes and five ties. The Beavers led by as many as 26 points (63-37) with 2:53 left to play on a three-pointer from sophomore guard Ryan Stowe (Shrewsbury, Mass./Shrewsbury).

Wheaton (9-14, 1-10 NEWMAC) hosts Springfield College on Saturday, February 16 at 2 p.m. on "Senior Day" in a NEWMAC contest. Babson (12-12, 4-7 NEWMAC) welcomes NEWMAC foe Coast Guard to Staake Gymnasium on Saturday at 2 p.m.