Seahawks slim gap to one before Camels explode

NEW LONDON, Conn. - Matt Vadas (Spring Lake Heights, N.J.) poured in a game-high 26 points to lead the Connecticut College men's basketball team to an 82-59 victory against Salve Regina University at Luce Field House Saturday. 

The Camels improve their record to 3-5 with the win, while the visiting Seahawks slip to 5-3 with the setback.

Salve Regina University senior guard William Smiley (Saunderstown, R.I.) finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Isiah Pringle (Queens, N.Y.) had 11 points while junior Patrick Dinneen (Medfield, Mass.) reached double digits with 10. 

Freshman Jared Shill (Woodcliff Lake, N.J.) erupted with 17 points, 11 rebounds and six assists for the Camels, shooting 4-for-6 from the field and 9-for-9 from the charity stripe. Aaron McBurnie (Brooklyn, N.Y.) netted 15 points to go along with five boards, connecting on 7-o-9 shots from the field.   

Whaling City native Doug Henton (New London, Conn.) contributed six points, four rebounds and three assists in his return to New London.

The Camel took a 25-11 lead in the opening half when Shill assisted Vadas for a three ball from the left side with 7:03 remaining.  Connecticut College carried a 39-26 lead into the break. 

With 8:43 remaining in the second stanza, Vadas connected with McBurnie for deuce and the hosts seemed to be on their way with a 58-43 lead. 

But Salve Regina put together a 14-0 run, clawing back to within 58-57 when Smiley converted in the post.

But Vadas and Shill combined to score the next nine points, igniting the Camels on a lethal 22-to-0 run. Shill was able to stay on his feet after taking a hard foul for a hoop and some harm on the line to make it a 63-57 Camel lead with 4:56 remaining.  He capped the rally with 57 seconds left, canning a pair of freebies and the Camels closed out the 82-59 win.