Courtesy of Brian Beard

Last Saturday, the men’s basketball team (12–6; 2–2 NESCAC) surged past Colby College (13–5; 1–3 NESCAC) in the second half to bring home a 69–61 win.

The Polar Bears lost to rival Colby in a non-conference match just two weeks earlier. Guard Mason Dawkins ’29 said that the Polar Bears came into Saturday’s match refocused and determined to bounce back.

“After losing two games in a row, the team really started focusing on our energy on and off the court,” Dawkins said. “In practice, [we focused] on positive body language and high communication in drills. Off the court, [we were] strengthening the bonds we have with one another.”

In the second half of the game, Dawkins played an essential role in the team’s effort to claw its way into a stable lead. With 14 minutes left on the clock, Dawkins landed a jumper that put the Polar Bears on track to pull ahead conclusively. Dawkins explained the team’s successful strategic pivot.

“[We came out of the half] with energy and knowing that this is our game to win,” Dawkins said. “[We mainly focused] on the defensive end, trying to run [Colby] off the three-point line where they had been finding their success in the first half.”

Head Coach Alex Lloyd highlighted the team’s increased dedication to communication, grit and congruence. He hopes to see continued improvements in those areas, as well as an enduring teamwide commitment to in-game flexibility.

“I knew we were prepared, but most of the things we’re doing this year are firsts for the group,” Lloyd said. “How we come out and set a tone, and how we react when something happens are both areas that our group has been growing in. We’re close to establishing a really consistent identity, and the game provided us another opportunity to step forward there.”

One strength that separated this second Colby game from the first, Lloyd noted, was Assistant Coach Cal Connelly’s pre-game scouting of Colby. Lloyd explained that the players adjusted their defensive strategy to capitalize on the Mules’ weaknesses.

On Tuesday, the team continued its winning streak with a 95–80 victory over Husson University (12–8). Notably, the Polar Bears netted 17 three-pointers, just two shy of the team’s  three-pointer record set in 2007. However, Dawkins believes that with a different mentality, the Polar Bears could have brought home a more decisive win.

“We went in thinking it would be an easy game and we’d just win by 30 [points], which is what should’ve been the case, but because of that mindset, the game was closer than it should’ve been,” Dawkins said. “We relaxed because it was so easy to score on offense.”

Dawkins commended the team’s improved ability to maintain possession, as well as their capitalizing on opportunities to regain possession. In future games, he hopes to see the team stay vigilant on their defensive side, especially in instances like the game against Husson where the Bears were already going strong on the offense.

Lloyd emphasized the importance of staying present.

“Every game is its own beast,” Lloyd said. He often tells his team to “honor the moment” and focus on process. He hopes above all to take the season game-by-game and to continue improving.

“I want us to be the best team we can be; that’s my goal every year,” Lloyd said. “My second goal is a national championship.… On a daily basis, we really focus on the first [goal].”

The Polar Bears will face off against Hamilton College (5–13, 1–3 NESCAC) today at 7 p.m.