AMHERST, Mass. – Camels junior David Murray scored 17 points to lead Connecticut College to a 65-57 win over the Amherst College men's basketball team in NESCAC action on Friday night in LeFrak Gymnasium.

The Camels improved to 13-8 overall and 4-3 in conference play, while the Mammoths fell to 8-13 overall and 3-5 in the NESCAC.

The Mammoths are back in action on Monday (Feb. 6), hosting Pratt at 7 p.m.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS:

* The Mammoths took an early 8-4 lead thanks to three-pointers from sophomore forward Noah Helmke and senior guard Yaseen Zarroug, but Connecticut College answered with a 13-2 run as sophomore guard Cam Schainfeld's layup off a steal gave the Camels a lead they never relinquished and a three from junior swingman Ben Rice put Connecticut College up, 17-10, with 12:08 on the clock in the first half.

* Late in the first half, a three from sophomore guard Canin Reynolds and a jumper from senior center Michael Schretter each brought the Mammoths back within six, but Murray answered each basket to give the Camels a 37-29 lead at halftime.

* After junior guard Jarron Flynn scored in transition to put the Camels up by 12, the Mammoths responded with eight straight points, cutting the Connecticut College lead to 44-40 when sophomore forward Ryker Vance threw down a dunk with 10:53 to play.

* The Camels followed with eight unanswered points of their own before Rice scored to give Connecticut College its largest lead of the game, 56-42, with just under five minutes to go.

* The Mammoths quickly got back within seven, putting together a five-point possession as Vance was fouled as he scored and missed the free throw, but junior forward Dan Schlakman got the rebound and dished to Reynolds, who drained a three.

* The Camels made 7-of-12 free throws the rest of the way, which proved to be enough to hold off the Mammoths.

* Amherst's four seniors – Beluolisah Oranye, Will Phelan, Michael Schretter and Yaseen Zarroug – were honored before the game.



BY THE NUMBERS:

* Reynolds led the Mammoths with 13 points.

* Four Camels scored in double figures as Flynn, Schainfeld and sophomore Andrew Hartel all tallied 11 points each to join Murray.

* The Camels shot 45 percent (25-of-56) from the floor while holding the Mammoths to 33 percent (19-of-57), though Amherst had the advantage in three-pointers, shooting 33 percent (8-of-24) from beyond the arc while Connecticut College shot 17 percent (2-of-12).

* The Mammoths held a 42-36 edge in rebounds as Vance grabbed a career-high 11 boards.