BOX SCORE

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Pat Crean scored 14 points and pulled down eight rebounds to lead the Springfield College men's basketball team to a 47-44 victory over visiting Babson College in a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference game tonight at Springfield's Blake Arena. As a result, both teams now sport identical records of 12-12 overall and 4-7 in NEWMAC play.

In a game that was very closely contested throughout, Babson's led by as many as eight three times in the first half, the last at 19-11 with 7:45 to go. Springfield eventually rallied and later enjoyed its largest lead at 40-36 with 6:34 remaining in the game.

A lay-up by Babson senior forward Pat Belniak (Sutton, Mass.) with 2:22 to go tied the contest at 44-44. However, those proved to be the last points of the game for the Beavers, who came up empty on their final four possessions. Meanwhile, Springfield senior Danny White (Melrose, N.Y.) put Springfield into front for good with a jumper with just 1:04 remaining, and Crean added a free throw with 20 ticks left to lift the Pride to the 47-44 victory.

Along with Crean's 14 points, Springfield received strong performances from senior John Strawson (Torrington, Conn.), who finished with 10 points, and White, who added seven points, five steals, two assists, and a critical block on a potential game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer.

For Babson, Belniak led with 14 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Sophomore forward Dana Mauro (Wethersfield, Conn.) had 10 points and seven rebounds, and freshman forward Marcus Edwards (East Hampton, N.Y.) added six points and nine rebounds.

Both teams shot very poorly from the field. Springfield shot .375 for the game (18-for-48), while Babson shot just .269 (14-of-52).

NOTE: Taken from a Springfield College press release.