Basketball falls in overtime
Fans got their first look at the '95-96 Big Green Men's Basketball team as they hosted Korabel in an exhibition last night at Leede Arena. Despite a game high 27 points from junior sensation Sea Lonergan, Dartmouth fell short 82-80 in overtime.
Before the game, Dartmouth Coach Dave Faucher looked forward seeing the results of five long weeks of practice.
"The score is secondary, I want to see our guys play the best they can," Faucher said. "The key is I want us to be sharp."
Dartmouth's first offensive series ended with a rushed attempt while the shot clock expired. The team seemed hesitant to shoot.
"We started out more tentative than I thought we ever would" Faucher said. "It was mostly first game jitters."
Dominating offensive play by Brian Gilpin '97 kept Dartmouth ahead at the start. Gilpin hit six of his first seven shots, tallying 14 first half points.
When Korabel started to key on Gilpin, Kenny Mitchell '97 stepped up. Quick ball movement and laser passes by Mitchell set up numerous open shots. Despite missed opportunities, Dartmouth closed the first half with a 40-36 lead.
The Big Green started the second half strong and showed bursts of brilliance. A Mitchell behind-the-back fast break dish to set up a Rob Davis '99 jumper ignited the crowd, and it looked like Dartmouth might run away with the contest.
"Our transition game was good when we were confident and relaxed," Faucher said.
Dartmouth may have relaxed too much. Gilpin fouled out midway through the half, and with 1:48 to go, Korabel was up 70-60 and had the ball. At that point the Big Green showed up to play. Led by Mitchell and Lonergan, Faucher's squad converted six quick transition points to close the gap to four.
After Korabel missed the back end of a one-and-one opportunity, Mitchell drove the court to tie but was fouled. After hitting his first free throw, he intentionally rimmed the second. Asa Palmer '98 grabbed the rebound and laid in a reverse to knot the game at 72.
With three seconds to go, Korabel's inbound play actually hit the lights and, incredibly, Dartmouth had a chance to win. With Lonergan double-covered and unavailable to shoot, the Big Green attempt went long and with it the game into overtime.
In overtime, Korabel's clutch three-point shooting kept victory just out of reach of Dartmouth. Mitchell's desperation three-pointer in double coverage fell just short, and the Big Green were handed the loss.
Although it was only a scrimmage, it was a surprising loss for this talented Dartmouth squad.
"We need to work on sharper cuts, anticipation and decision making on shots," Faucher said.
Dartmouth has six days to work out the kinks before hosting the Holy Cross Crusaders in their season opener on Nov. 25 at 7:30 p.m.
