Morton, Bowman connect from deep nine times in nine-point victory

QUINCY, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College men's basketball team fell to Salve Regina 68-59 Saturday afternoon at the Lahue Physical Education Center.

The Lions move to 9-12 on the season and 6-8 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference. The Seahawks improve to 8-12 overall and 6-8 in league competition with the victory.

Prior to the start of the contest, the Eastern Nazarene College men's basketball team honored its senior class: Corey Doran (Fairfield, Calif.), David Eddings (Endicott, N.Y.), Christian Lynch (Alpharetta, Ga.), and Anthony Petrilli (Santa Clarita, Calif.).

Lynch paced the home side with 26 points while also grabbing nine rebounds. Petrilli poured in nine points while Eddings registered 12 boards, six assists, and three points. Doran chipped in with eight points and Andrew Mitchell (Campobello, S.C.) tallied six points off the bench.

The visitors bolted out to a quick 15-3 lead 5:22 into the game. The Lions battled back to level the score at 15-15 on Eddings setup Patrick Michel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) under the hoop with a no-look dime with 12:01 to go in the first half.

Eastern Nazarene seized its first lead of the day with 10:38 remaining in the opening frame, 17-15, as Lynch connected on baseline floater. After Salve Regina pulled even at 23-23 with 6:36 left to play, the Seahawks rattled off 15 consecutive points to grab a 38-25 advantage with 45 seconds on the clock.

The Lions chalked up two baskets in the final seconds of the half to cut the deficit to 38-29. Eastern Nazarene shot 41.9% in the first half while connecting on just 1-of-7 from three-point range. Salve Regina sported a field-goal percentage of 53.8% at the break while draining seven treys on 12 attempts.

In the second stanza, the hosts trimmed the margin to 45-43 with 11:54 remaining as Doran powered in a layup.

The guests reclaimed a double-digit lead with 6:49 left to play as Rodney Morton converted two free throws, 53-43.

Salve Regina fended off Eastern Nazarene in the final five minutes of play to deal the Lions their fifth loss in a row.

Morton paced the Seahawks with 26 points while Isaiah Bowman recorded 22 points.

The Lions shot 43.3% from the floor and just 16.7% from the perimeter on the afternoon. The Seahawks finished with a field-goal percentage of 45.3% to go with 42.9% shooting from behind the arc.