Feb. 6, 2008

Box Score

BABSON PARK, Mass. - Visiting Bowdoin College shot 65.9 percent from the field and 90.9 percent from the free throw line on its way to an impressive 71-57 victory over host Babson College in a non-conference men's basketball tilt at Staake Gymnasium on Wednesday night. With the win, the Polar Bears improved to 17-4 overall, while the Beavers slipped to 6-13.

Bowdoin's shooting was sensational in all areas, as the Polar Bears hit 27-of-41 from the field, including 7-of-12 from three point range, and 10-of-11 from the line. Senior tri-captain Andrew Hippert (Worcester, Mass.) shot 8-for-12 from the floor, hitting 3-of-6 from beyond the arc, for a game-high 19 points, while junior Kyle Jackson (Acton, Mass.) hit 6-of-8, including all three of his long range attempts, for 15 points. Jackson also added team-highs of five rebounds, four assists, and three steals in the win. Senior tri-captain Andrew Sargeantson (New Canaan, Conn.), senior tri-captain Jordan Fliegel (Cambridge, Mass.), and sophomore Mark Phillips (Ashland, Mass.) also had solid games, as each finished with eight points and three rebounds.

Babson was led by senior Greg Bush (New Islip, N.Y.), who matched Hippert's game-high 19 points while hitting 4-of-5 from the field, 3-of-4 from long range, and 8-of-11 from the free throw line. He was joined in double figures by senior tri-captain Kyle McDonald (Wethersfield, Conn.), who finished with 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting. The Beavers shot a respectable 42.9 percent from the floor and 78.9 percent from the line while committing only 12 turnovers, but they could not overcome the Polar Bears' sizzling clip.

After Jackson netted the game's first basket, McDonald drained a three-pointer to give Babson a lead it would not relinquish for more than 11 minutes. The Beavers eventually led by as many as 10 on two occasions - once at 17-7 after a jumper by junior Zach Etten (Hollis, N.H.) and again at 19-9 following a lay-up by Bush. However, Bowdoin closed the gap thanks to the timely shooting of Phillips and Hippert, who combined to score 13 points during a 16-5 run that put the Polar Bears in front, 25-24, with 6:31 remaining in the opening period.

Etten followed with a jumper to gave Babson its final advantage of the contest with 6:11 left, and the two teams stayed close over the next minute. Jackson then knocked down a three to put Bowdoin in front for good, 30-27, and the visitors eventually went up by as many as 10 before taking a 42-35 lead into the break. The Beavers would never threaten in the second half, as the Polar Bears opened with a 10-0 run and never looked back en route to the 71-57 victory.