Box Score SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Wheaton College (Mass.) men's basketball team was neck and neck with Springfield College for the majority of Saturday afternoon's New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference men's basketball game, but managed to pull away late to secure the conference win 70-65 on the campus of Springfield College.

The Lyons improved to 11-6 overall on the season and 5-4 within the NEWMAC with the win. Springfield fell to 6-11 on the season and 4-5 in the NEWMAC following the loss.

The win is the first for Head Coach Alex DuBrow '20 without the interim tag. Wheaton College Athletics announced last week that DuBrow's interim tag would be removed. The Lyons shot 43.6% (24-55) from the field, while the Pride managed to outshoot their opponent with a 51.9% (27-52) mark. Wheaton was much more accurate from beyond the arc, making eight three-pointers to Springfield's two. They also took advantage of their trips to the free throw line, making 14 shots from the stripe. 

Junior Dimetri Iafrate (Johnston, R.I.) tied the game-high for scoring with 19 points, leading his team and accompanying four rebounds and four assists. Senior Tristan Herry (East Taunton, Mass.) was hot on his teammates heels, scoring 17 points on the day with two rebounds and three steals while making 50% (3-6) of his shots from beyond the arc. Senior Eoin Morrissey (Watertown, Mass.) stayed hot with 14 points of his own as well as a team-high eight rebounds. First year Wyatt Benoit (Saco, Maine) was incredibly efficient for the Lyons, scoring nine points on 2-3 shooting from the field and 1-1 from beyond the arc. 

Sophomore Zachary Campbell (Philadelphia, Pa.) led the Pride in scoring with 19 points and five rebounds. Fellow sophomore Hunter Matteson (Dartmouth, Mass.) had a 14 point game with 7 rebounds, helping his team to out-rebound their opponents. 

After each side opened the game with opposing baskets, the Lyons opened up a big lead in the opening phase of the first half. Herry hit the ground running, scoring eight points out of the tie to put the Lyons ahead 15-8. Junior Xoren Livingston (Wayland, Mass.) dragged his team back within reach of the Lyons, scoring a quick five points to put his team within two at 17-15. 

Benoit helped to defuse some of the pressure from the Pride, knocking down his first triple of the game, but Livingston would hit a pair of shots to keep his team within one possession. As the first half wound down towards halftime, Herry hit a jumper to keep the Lyons ahead. The Pride were resilient, and managed to keep the score close just before the final minute. Livingston managed to score once more before the break, tying the game at 30-30 heading into halftime. 

Springfield made their first two shots out of halftime to take a 34-30 lead right out of the gates. They climbed ahead to make it 39-32 following a score and a free throw from senior Josh Hartley (Brooklyn, N.Y.). Facing their biggest deficit yet, the Lyons leaned on Iafrate to gain some of the ground they lost. The dynamo scored two field goals and made his three free throws to bring Wheaton back within two points of the Pride. Herry would score once more to make it 40-41, but the Pride pulled away again. Trailing 43-40, Morrissey stepped into a three-pointer and scored to tie the affair at 43 points apiece. Springfield scored their layup to stay ahead, but Morrissey was having none of it. The senior stalwart stepped into another three-pointer, and scored again to give his side a 46-45 lead. The Pride were still in it, and managed to score three more before Iafrate tied it again with a triple. Herry made it four straight trebles for Wheaton as he scored from downtown to once again take the lead at 52-51

Morrissey's hot fourth quarter continued as he scored six more points in the final eight minutes. Campbell would score 10 for Springfield, but Benoit would prove to be the difference maker as he scored six points of his own. The Pride were forced to foul for the ball in the final minute, allowing sophomore Sean Perri (West Roxbury, Mass.) to score from the free throw line. He made both of his attempts, and Benoit would score one of his final two shots to secure the 70-65 victory for the Lyons.

Wheaton will return home for another NEWMAC home contest this Wednesday at 8:00 pm as they host Coast Guard. Springfield will head across the state for a conference game against M.I.T. in Cambridge, Mass. on Wednesday at 6:30 pm.