Winter Carnival weekend was joyful for the men's basketball team as the Big Green stomped Yale, 71-58 and pulled out an emotional 71-70 victory over Brown to capture sole possession of second place in the Ivy League.
Dartmouth 71, Brown 70
In Saturday night's thriller against Brown, fans were one with the team as the Big Green clung to a 71-70 advantage in the waning seconds of the game.
Dartmouth had opened up a seven-point cushion in the beginning of the second half, but could not shake the Bears. The game was settled with a mere four seconds left when Kenny Mitchell '97 stripped the ball in the lane on a Brown drive.
Mitchell held the ball to secure it, and then lobbed a pass to a streaking Sea Lonergan '97 as time expired. Mitchell had stolen a Brown inbounds pass just seconds before, but had been called for traveling when he fell with the ball. Lonergan paced the Big Green with 23 points but was only one of Dartmouth's many stars in the game.
The game had more fireworks than the Winter Carnival opening ceremonies, with numerous lead changes, clutch treys and a heart-attack ending.
Down by 11 midway through the first half, the Big Green pulled a wrestling move, transforming themselves from the pinnees to the pinners. The Green brigade's counterattack featured a 25-7 half-ending run that forced Brown to retreat until after intermission.
Brian Gilpin '97 led the charge with 10 of the 25 points, while Captain Jamie Halligan '95 and Lonergan added six apiece.
In the second half, Brown swiped at the Dartmouth advantage and the lead changed hands four times. But the night was not to be tinged a sickly Brown.
Lonergan scored 12 of his game-high 23 points in the second half, but, emotionally, the half belonged to Mitchell and junior Jacob Capps. With the game tied at 55, Mitchell drained a three-pointer from the top of the key. On the Big Green's next trip down the court, the sweet southpaw unloaded again, this time connecting from NBA range from the right side. His clutch shots gave Dartmouth a six-point edge.
But the game was not through -- not by a longshot. With the game tied again, this time at 65, Capps's drained a three from deep in the left corner. Soon afterwards, Lonergan hit another three and Mitchell sealed the win with his key steals, sending the Leede crowd into hysterics. "I love playing here," Capps exulted afterwards.
Gilpin continued to dominate, scoring 18 points on eight of 11 shooting, registering nine rebounds, and blocking a game-high six shots. Halligan grabbed seven boards of his own and netted 10 points.
Dartmouth 71, Yale 58
Heroes abounded in the demolition of Yale as both starters and reserves had a chance to shine. The Big Green were cruising at intermission, 32-23.
To climax the first half, Capps finished a break with a tremendous scoop layup as the buzzer sounded. Capps scored 14 points on 6-8 shooting in the first half to pace all scorers.
The second half was no less captivating. The Big Green extended their margin to 18 before Coach David Faucher rested his starters. The highlight of the second half came when point guard P.J. Halas '98 called for the ball at the top of the key. Halas took the pass, and drained an NBA three-pointer as he was knocked to the floor. Leede Arena virtually shook.
Coach Faucher praised the team effort against Yale. "We had five guys playing as hard as they [could], and that's what coaching is all about," he said.
Dartmouth has now won four in a row, bringing its record to 9-11, 6-2 in the Ivies. The Big Green will face mighty Penn at the Palestra on Friday.
