The men’s basketball team didn’t miss a beat Wednesday night, defeating UMaine-Presque Isle (9-8) 78-57 in Morrell Gym after winning five out of six games over Winter Break. Point guard Bryan Hurley ’15 paced the Polar Bears, scoring 17 points, with eight assists and three steals. The Polar Bears (12-4 overall, 3-1 NESCAC) are tied for first place in the NESCAC.
A week after they returned to campus on December 28, the team hosted the University of Southern Maine. John Swords ’15 led the team with a double-double, tallying 19 points and 12 rebounds in the team’s 76-61 win.
Two days after the win, the Polar Bears travelled to Bridgewater St., where Lucas Hausman ’16 stole the spotlight and put up an impressive 28 points to lead the team to a 84-78 overtime victory. Bowdoin was leading 68-59 going into the final minutes of play. Bridgewater St. made a late run to bring the game to 71-71, forcing the game into overtime. After the extra five minutes, Bowdoin held onto an six-point lead.
The day after the closely contested game against Bridgewater St., Bowdoin arrived at Connecticut College ready to play, beating the Camels 77-48. Hausman again led the team in scoring, this time with 22 points.
“The team is starting to come together more as a unit,” said Hausman. “If we put everything together, if we work hard, have chemistry and do what coach tells us to do, I feel like we honestly have the potential to beat anyone.”
With their win streak at five, the Polar Bears faced the Wesleyan Cardinals in Connecticut on Saturday, January 10. Bowdoin kept the score close in the first half, with the game tied at 31 at halftime. Despite Hausman scoring 26 points, Wesleyan overpowered them in the second half, winning 77-62.
The team took no time to hang their heads, as they immediately prepared to host reigning D-III runner-up Williams. The Ephs remain a NESCAC heavyweight this season, but the Bowdoin veterans were determined to fight for a win. This time it was captain Keegan Pieri ’15 who lead the way with 20 points and 10 rebounds in a 67-60 victory.
The final game of the break was against Hamilton. Hausman continued his streak, scoring 28 in the team’s 89-74 win.
“I’ve seen it every year,” said Pieri ’15. “The second half of the season, especially coming off of Winter Break, the team seems to be clicking better, whether it’s the basketball itself, us starting to get in a rhythm from all the practices, or just being together all the time over Winter Break.”
The team will play on Saturday afternoon at Colby, a team ties with Bowdoin for first place in the NESCAC and whodefeated the Polar Bears in December.