NEW LONDON, N.H. – January 13, 2009 – The Colby-Sawyer men's basketball team improved to 2-0 in TCCC play and 8-3 overall, after a 71-48 win, over in-state rival New England College. It was a full team effort, as eleven players scored, led by freshman Will Bardaglio (Wayne, Maine), who tallied a career-high 21 points. The loss drops New England College to 2-11 overall and 0-2 in TCCC action.

The Pilgrims and Chargers played evenly throughout the first 10 minutes of the game, before senior Andrew Cousins (South Portland, Maine) hit a three-pointer and a lay-up on back-to-back possessions, giving Colby-Sawyer the lead for good. The Chargers took a 34-22 lead into the locker room, behind the play of Bardaglio who scored 10 first half points, while New England College sophomore Shane Hennessey (Plymouth, England) led his squad with 10.

Colby-Sawyer opened the second half with a 17-2 run, as their defense held the Pilgrims to only one field goal in the first eight minutes. Bardaglio kept lighting it up from the field, finishing the game 7-11, including 4-7 from beyond the arc. Junior Jon Chaloux (Barre, Vt.) had a solid game for the Chargers, registering 11 points, five rebounds and three blocks. The Chargers played well defensively, holding New England College to 33% from the field and caused 33 turnovers. The Pilgrims did hold a 48-34 edge in rebounding.

For the Pilgrims, Hennessey finished with a team-high 15 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, including six on the offensive glass. Freshman Brandon Murray (Roxbury, Mass.) scored 11 points and registered six rebounds.

Cousins finished the game with nine points for the Chargers. Senior Matt Lemieux (Manchester, N.H.) filled the stat sheet with seven points, six assists and five rebounds in only 18 minutes of action.

The Chargers take a game off from conference play, as they travel north to Castleton State on Thursday, January 15, for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off.