Following a successful regular season that saw them finish with an NCAA tournament bid, the Le Moyne men’s basketball team faced off against Saint Anselm on Mar. 15 looking to advance in the East Regional   bracket.

Throughout the entirety of this game, there was much to be said about the consistency of the players who contributed heavily during the course of the season. Senior guard Nate Champion, sophomore guard Qwadere Lovell, and graduate student center Janson all  had solid offensive performances throughout the game against the Hawks, Gause with 17 points total, Lovell with 14, and Janson finishing with 12.

Lovell finished with seven rebounds and played solid defense throughout, along with Janson who had five rebounds. After the teams traded baskets over the opening three minutes of the game, the Dolphins scored 10 straight points to take their largest lead of the game, 17-8, with 13:36 remaining in the first half.

Lovell made a lay-up, and Champion followed with a jumper. Regardless of their offensive display, the entire team worked throughout the game against the Hawks tonight with solid play on the offensive and defensive end. Champion carried much of the offensive load in the second half scoring  eleven points  and keeping the Dolphin hopes alive.

Despite the strong start from the ‘Phins, Saint Anselm struck back in the second half. With 10:52 remaining, the Hawks had extended their four point halftime lead all the way out to 16. From there, the closest Le Moyne could get was three points following a jumper by Champion with 1:53 to go. After that point, the Hawks finished the game on an 8-0 run to close out the victory.

The Dolphins out-rebounded the Hawks with a total of 33 rebounds compared to 27 for Saint Anselm . Despite the collective team effort, the game ended with Le Moyne losing 73-62.

Champion and Janson ended their respective careers on high notes. As most games have been for the Dolphins this season, this one was no different as the Dolphins once again player a team-oriented game.

The Hawks took the fight to the ‘Phins who were led by their  all-conference guard, Roy Mabrey, who connected on a career-high total of six three-pointers in the game and ended up scoring 26 of Anselm’s 73. Luckily, they didn’t end on a bad note whatsoever, because making at far as they did in the season, Le Moyne will know what it takes to reach this level again come next season.