Box Score SPRINGFIELD, Mass. –Senior Josh Altman poured in 26 points, including 21 in the first half, to power the Springfield College men's basketball team to a 95-52 victory over Coast Guard in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action on Wednesday night in Blake Arena.
With the win, the Pride improve to 10-6, 2-3 in league play, while the Bears drop to 5-11, 1-4.
Springfield tied a program record with 15 three pointers in the game as it connected on 15-of-25 from beyond the arc. The last time the Pride had 15 trifectas was in 2004 against Coast Guard. Springfield had its best offensive game of the year, going 33-for-56 from the field (58.9%) while handing out 21 assists.
Altman, who had combined for 25 points in his last three outings, put on an offensive show, canning 10-of-13 from the field, including six from beyond the arc en route to 26 points in just 18 minutes of action. Graduate student Tim Swenson registered his second double double of the season with 11 points and 10 boards, senior Sean Martin chipped in 13 points, six assists, and four steals, and junior Larry Piretra hauled in 10 boards.
Coast Guard was led by freshman Micah Baldez's career high 10 points, while both freshman Darius Adams and freshman Zak Bradley each notched nine points and four rebounds. That was also a career high in points for Bradley. The Bears went just 19-for-64 (29.7%) from the field and committed 13 turnovers which resulted in 21 Springfield points.
After a deep junior Ricky Rodriguez jump shot brought Coast Guard within 5-4 just over three minutes into the contest, the Pride surged ahead thanks to an 18-0 run over the next 4:13 to earn a commanding 23-4 advantage. The visitors would get as close as 15 with 10:29 left in the first after a putback by Adams, but the Pride ended the half scoring 27 of the final 39 points to head into the break with a 50-20 lead.
Springfield's lead never dipped below 30 in the second half and ballooned to as much as 45 in the final minute as the hosts cruised to a 43-point victory.
Coast Guard returns home this Saturday, January 24th, when they host the 20th ranked team in the nation, the Babson Beavers. The NEWMAC game will tip at 3:00 pm.
