Second half fouls cost Stags in loss to Bulldogs

CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps men's basketball team couldn't hang on to a seven point lead midway through the second half due to a cluster of fouls that allowed the Redlands Bulldogs to eventually earn a 68-61 victory on Jan. 20.

CMS came out of the gate strong as sophomore forward Nicolas Segura (CMC) sank a layup for an 11-5 lead.

Redlands took a lead of their own at the ten minute mark of the first half on a three pointer, eventually going up by eight before senior center Nick Lund (CMC) closed the gap to six at halftime.

Sophomore guard Michael Scarlett (CMC) drilled a three with just over 13 minutes on the clock to give CMS its largest lead of the game at 44-37, but momentum shifted in the opposite direction when the Stags couldn't keep possession of the ball or stay out of foul trouble. The next three minutes would see the Stags commit three turnovers and six fouls, and the Bulldogs took advantage going seven of eight from the free-throw line to knot the game up at 44.

Redlands blew the game wide open, eventually taking a 60-49 lead with just under three minutes to play. CMS attempted to battle back but the deficit was too great as the Bulldogs secured a 68-61 win.

It was an overall rough night for the Stags who committed 17 turnovers along with 22 fouls.

Despite the loss, Scarlett remains a bright spot for CMS. The sophomore had his third highest point total of the season, racking up 21 on the night including four threes.

Redlands got balanced scoring from their starters with senior forward Al Bjekovic leading the way with a 20 point performance coupled with seven rebounds.

The loss drops CMS to a 7-8 overall, 1-5 SCIAC record where they currently sit in eighth place. The Stags will next take on the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens in a Sixth Street rivalry battle Jan. 25.  

Box Score

By Tony Steege
Sports Information Assistant

Sign up for CMS Email Updates
Become a fan of CMS Athletics on Facebook: AthleticsCMS
Follow CMS Athletics on Twitter: @AthleticsCMS
CMS Athletics on Instagram: cmsathletics
Watch CMS Athletics videos on YouTube: ClaremontMuddScripps
#goathenas    #gostags