MIDDLEBURY, Vt. — The Endicott men's basketball team fell to No. 24 nationally ranked Middlebury, 90-86, on Sunday afternoon at Pepin Gymnasium.
Elijah Kinney (Nashville, Tenn.) led the way in the strong road effort for the Gulls, posting career-highs of 25 points (9-17 FG), 15 total rebounds (10 offensive), and 30 minutes played. He also added a block, sank six free throws (6-7 FTM), and drilled a three-pointer in his all-around performance.
Jalen Echevarria (Lynn, Mass.) returned to action for the first time since the season opener on November 12, logging 34 minutes in the loss. He notched 17 points (7-15 FGM, 3-8 3PT), dished out a game-high four assists, snagged a steal, and brought down two rebounds on the afternoon.
Mark Barrett (Brookline, Mass.) stuffed the stat sheet in his 29 minutes, recording 14 points (5-10 FG, 2-5 3PT), three rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block for the visitors.
The Gulls jumped out to an early five point lead thanks to a five minute 8-3 run which made it 21-16 with 9:52 remaining in the opening stanza. The Panthers closed the gap, but the Gulls escaped to the break with a 36-34 lead thanks to two late free throws from Jeff Hill (Lynn, Mass.).
After Middlebury started the second half on a 13-8 scoring run, Endicott responded with a two minute 9-0 run of its own sparked by Matt Boen (Mansfield, Mass.), giving itself a six point (53-47) lead with 14:38 to play.
However, the Panthers rattled off an 11-0 run in the following 2:34, reclaiming a 58-53 lead. They held onto that small two-possession lead for the majority of the second half, eventually expanding their lead to a game-high eight points (82-74) with under five to play.
Endicott refused to quit, responding with a 6-0 run led by Barrett and Echevarria, cutting the Middlebury lead to two (82-80) with 3:04 left on the clock. Unfortunately for the Gulls, the Panthers cashed in four of their six late game free throws to hang on for the 90-86 victory.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Kinney's 25 points are a team season-high for the Gulls.
- The Blue and Green outscored the Panthers in the paint, 38-30.
- Tonight's contest saw 18 ties and 16 lead changes.
- Middlebury's bench scored 28 points in the contest.
- Kinney's 15 total rebounds ties him with a host of Gulls for ninth all-time in program single-game history.
WHAT'S NEXT
Endicott (2-3) visits UNE to open Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) play on Wednesday, November 29 at 7:30 PM. No. 24 Middlebury (1-4) travels to New England College on Tuesday, November 28 at 5:00 PM.
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Photo Credit - (Mazzie Hinsdale '26)
