The Bowdoin Orient

February 2, 2001
Volume CXXXII, Number 14

Men's basketball winning streak ends at three

by HENRY COPPOLA, STAFF WRITER

   This past Saturday the Bears saw their three game winning streak come to an end with a 70-55 loss at Williams. An uncharacteristically poor shooting night led to the defeat as Bowdoin shot only 40 percent in the second half, turning a close half-time score into the eventual 15 point deficit.
   It was a rare lapse for the team, which leads the NESCAC in field goal percentage, draining nearly half of its shots at a 48.6 percent clip. Williams was led by Tim Folan, who dropped in seven shots from beyond the arc. The Eph's had ten three-pointers on the night, which would prove to be too much for the Bears.
   Bowdoin was led by senior David Baranowski who sported a double-double with 18 points and 13 boards. Speaking of Baranowski and field-goal percentage, he leads not only the NESCAC but the nation as well with a 68.8 percent rating.
   Overall, last week was a good one for the Bears as they picked up victories over St. Joseph's (Maine) and Middlebury before falling to Williams. For the second straight year Bowdoin eked one out at Middlebury winning 75-74.
   Baranowski led the way in that game as well, putting up 22 points as the Bears shot 54 percent on the night. At St. Joe's the Bears led the whole with three players in double figures as they knocked off the Monks for the third straight meeting.
   The week capped off a torrid January for the Bears, which saw them go on win streaks of three and four games. They went 7-3 on the month as they pushed their record to 12-5 overall and 2-2 in the NESCAC.
   One of the seven victories came in overtime against Connecticut College who had been a preseason favorite. That game saw many lead changes and several runs before Steve McKinnon '01 hit two free-throws to ice it at 83-79. Bowdoin also defeated Colby-Sawyer, Plymouth State, Maine-Farmington, and Colby in January. The other two losses came at Babson and Wesleyan.
   In this, the first official NESCAC season of Basketball complete with playoffs and a conference champion, Bowdoin is looking strong so far. The team has already topped its victory total from last year when it went 11-13.
   Last season saw the Bears start out strong before stumbling down the stretch. Hopefully Bowdoin will maintain this high level of play and keep me busy in front of a keyboard late into February.
   The Bears have six games remaining, five of them conference match-ups, which carry greater significance this season with the playoffs looming. Senior captain Greg Lovely said, "I like our chances (to make the playoffs). We already beat Connecticut College who was one of the favorites. If we play the way we're capable of, I know we'll do well."
   The team will remain on the road for the next couple of weeks playing at Bates tonight and at Tufts tomorrow, before traveling to Farmington and Colby next week, and finally returning home to finish up with games against Amherst and Trinity on February 16 and 17.
   I hope everyone waits in breathless anticipation for next week's article considering that you can't see your beloved Bears play for several more weeks.
   As long as the basketball team is on the road get out and support some of the other squads playing on campus this weekend. Don't miss one of the best hockey weekends of the season as Middlebury and Norwich come to Dayton for games Friday and Saturday respectfully.
   Well, let me just say that its good to be back and until next week as always, Go U Bears!!

Forward Scott McCabe '02 lets go of a shot against Bates. (Colin LeCroy/Bowdoin Orient)