NEW LONDON, Conn. - Men's basketball lost their first match of the new year in commanding fashion to NEWMAC opponent WPI. The loss drops the men to 8-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play.


WPI, now 10-2 overall (3-0 NEWMAC) showed why they have spent time in the top 25 this season. The Engineers led the Bears in nearly every category including rebounds(41-35), FG%(45-34), turnovers(7-15), 3PT%(36-30%), and steals(7-5). WPI will next play NEWMAC opponent Emerson at home on January 6th. 


Coast Guard fell to an early 17 point lead in the 1st but came storming back to cut the Engineers lead down to single digits. Late in the first, the Engineers again took a 17 point lead but an eight point run by the Bears appeared to be sending them into halftime with the momentum only trailing by 11. Senior guard Donovan Sevilla had other ideas. He beat the buzzer to extend the WPI lead to 13 going into the half. The second half started much like the first for Coast Guard, they got down big early but this time were unable to climb back in. 


Coming off the bench with a stellar performance for the Bears was sophomore guard Trevor Parks. Parks had eight points, tied for the team lead with seven rebounds, and blocked two shots. The leading scorer for CGA was junior guard Ben Yagey with 12 points. Junior center Cameron Brown also added 10 points, two steals, and seven rebounds.


Coast Guard Academy will look to get back over .500 in conference at Clark University this Saturday January 6th at 1:00pm.