Nov. 17, 2007
SALEM, MA - Endicott's Samuel Evans (Philadelphia, PA/The Hyde School) dropped a game-high 16 points on 8-of-10 shooting to lead the Gulls to a, 60-34, win over Wheelock College on Saturday night in the opening round of the Salem Tip-Off Tournament on the campus of Salem State College.
An uneventful opening half saw just 37 points scored as the Gulls took a 25-12 lead into the intermission. Evans may have been the Gulls one bright spot, as the graduate student scored 10 points in 14 minutes of action in the opening frame.
In the second half, Endicott began to take control as the Blue and Green used their size and strength down low to out-muscle the Wildcats. On the evening Endicott held a dominant 38-16 advantage in points in the paint.
Sophomore Graham Whitelaw (Kennebunk, ME/Cheverus) complimented the Gulls inside game with respectable numbers from the floor. The sophomore guard notched 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting including two three pointers. Transfer Bobby Montrond (Brockton, MA/Brockton) made his Endicott debut by living-up to his defensive hype, snatching five steals in the win. Senior Gary Corbett (Danbury, CT/Danbury) dialed-in from behind the arc twice to help lead the Gulls with six points.
Wheelock College, a team of 11 freshmen and one sophomore who are competing in their first-year of men's varsity status, were led by Alex Thayer's (Seekonk, MA) 16 points and seven rebounds. The Wildcats' turned the ball over 25 times resulting in 19 Endicott points.
With the win, Endicott advances into the Salem Tip-Off Tournament Championship game against host Salem State College. The Vikings and the Gulls are scheduled for a 3:00 PM tip on Sunday.