NEW LONDON, Conn. - Men's Basketball opened up conference play at Emerson, taking down the Lions in overtime with a final score of 84-77. 

Emerson got the first four points before Coast Guard found its rhythm and tied it up at four, just under two minutes into the game. CGA's first lead game at just over 14 minutes to go in the first, when Ben Yagey hit a jumper to put the Bears up, 13-11. 

The teams continued to battle for the lead as there were ties and 18 lead changes in the first half alone. Heading into the break, Coast Guard was holding on with a 38-24 lead. 

Into the second half, neither team saw a score until over two minutes in, when Emerson cut the lead to two. The second 20 minutes were much like the first as each team fought to gain the lead. CGA had the largest lead of the game at seven with just over 11 minutes to go. 

As the game was coming down to the wire, each team scored, bringing the score to be tied at 66, forcing overtime. 

OT started the same as the two halves, with Emerson scoring first. While they held the lead for the majority of the extra time, a clutch three by Declan Rooney gave CGA the lead, which they held for the rest of the game. 

Elijah Parent led the Bears in scoring with 17, followed by Rooney and Mitch Shettles with 15. Cameraon Brown led in rebounds with nine, followed by Rooney with eight. 

The Bears are now 6-2 overall and 1-0 in conference. 

Coast Guard will compete in the St. Mary's Tournament at the end of the month, facing Baruch College on December 29th and St. Mary's College of Maryland on the 30th.