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The Dartmouth
June 28, 2025 | Latest Issue
The Dartmouth

Big Green men fall to top national teams

On paper it may look like the Dartmouth men's basketball team cooled off a bit since early December. After opening the season with six straight wins they now stand at 6-4 overall and in the 1-0 Ivy.

Before becoming alarmed, consider first that the Big Green took on two nationally ranked teams -- North Carolina and New Mexico -- during winter break.

The number 10 ranked Tarheels handed Dartmouth its first loss of the year, ending the Big Green's six game winning streak which at that time was the nation's longest Division 1 men's basketball winning streak.

"Although of course we never like to lose, we would gladly trade those last for losses for the Harvard win," co-Captain Jacob Capps '96 said.

Beating Harvard is the first step in winning the Ivy league, virtually the only way Ivy League teams have made the NCAA tourney in recent memory.

Through 10 games, the Big Green has been led by standout Seamus Lonergan '97. Lonergan, with 20.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, earned back to back Ivy League Player of the Week honors in December. He leads the team in scoring and minutes played.

Brian Gilpin '97, with 11.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, is the top rebounder and shot blocker with 18 blocks. Kenny Mitchell '97 is tops in assists with over five a game.

"The team is playing extremely well at this point," Capps said. "Of course Sea, Gilpin and Kenny have excelled, but P.J. [Halas] '98 and Asa Palmer '98 have really contributed. Really though it's been a team effort throughout."

Lonergan said, "Asa Palmer is playing the best I've ever seen him play. He's a monster on the boards and we all look to pass to him underneath."

Dartmouth 81 Middlebury 49

Lonergan poured in 29 and Mitchell added 10 as the Big Green improved to 2-0. "Although Sea drew lots of attention we were able to concentrate on our game," Coach Dave Faucher said. "They were able to cut the lead to nine when Gilpin got his fourth foul, but our transition game came into play and we went on a 16-0 run."

Lonergan said, "We created good shots and which helped me get into my rhythm."

Dartmouth 82 UVM 66

After hitting their first six shots (all three-pointers) the Big Green never looked back and cruised to 3-0 by thrashing the Catamounts of UVM. Mitchell, Halas and Davis each had two of the six treys as the Big Green finished the half nine of 11 from behind the arc.

Dartmouth held UVM star Eddie Benton, who felt no need to be open or even close to the basket to shoot, easily in check with tenacious defense. "The key was a balanced team attack," said Mitchell who added 15 points.

Gilpin netted 16 and Lonergan once again led all scorers with 20. Lonergan was later chosen as Ivy League Player of the week for his performances against Holy Cross, Middlebury and UVM.

Dartmouth 73 Army 72

Leading by nine with just over a minute to play, it looked like the cadets from West Point would end Dartmouth's win streak. In an amazing display of slashing drives, highlighted by a couple of Mitchell reverse banks, Dartmouth fought their way back to a tie at 72 all with nine seconds to play.

Army then turned the ball over, and Gilpin was fouled as he attempted a shot with two seconds to play. Gilpin calmly nailed the first foul shot and intentionally shanked the second and Dartmouth had their fourth win in as many tries.

The game marked the return of co-Captain Jacob Capps '96. "He's a leader on the court and his leadership is always much needed," Lonergan said. "It's definitely nice to have him on the court again."

Lonergan again led the team with 18 and Capps added 12.

Dartmouth 70 Harvard 61

A Mitchell lay-up with 2:23 remaining in the first half gave Dartmouth the lead for good as they rolled to their fifth straight victory. More importantly Dartmouth was now 1-0 in the Ivy League.

Lonergan ripped apart the Crimson's defense for 30 points, including a perfect 11-11 from the free throw line. Gilpin netted 16 and Mitchell had 10 for the streaking Big Green

Dartmouth 83 Central Connecticut 80 OT

A pair of clutch free throws by Keith Stanton '97 in overtime helped Dartmouth pull away for their sixth straight win.

"We started flat, it was our first game after exams," Capps said. "But we were able to regroup with a balanced attack and take it."

The scoring reflected Capps thoughts as Palmer had 14 and Capps had 15. Lonergan customarily led the team with 16 points.

Before the game, Lonergan was recognized as Ivy League player of the week for the second week in a row for his efforts against Army and the show he put on at Harvard.

Dartmouth 66 North Carolina 96

"In Sea Lonergan, Dartmouth has a legitimate star," said UNC head coach Dean Smith of Lonergan prior to the Big Green-Tarheel match-up. At that time Lonergan was seventh in the nation in scoring with 27.9 points per game. Smith rewarded Sea by assigning Tarheel superstar Vince Carter to guard him.

Although they played Smith's squad tough in short spurts, the number 10 Tarheels were just too much. Lonergan and Palmer could manage just 10 points apiece to lead the Big Green.

"We were excited and wanted to hang with them," Capps said. "But we were antsy and didn't run our offense.

Over 19,000 were on hand at the Dean Smith Center to watch including about 200 fans from Dartmouth.

Although the game ended in defeat, senior co-captain Matt Bush said, "It was just an incredible experience. One I'll never forget."

Dartmouth 54 Rice 62

A few late fouls kept Dartmouth from tying late and Dartmouth fell to 6-2. The defeat took a little wind out of a homecoming of sorts for Capps (a Houston native) and Lonergan who is from Dallas.

"I was really excited to play in front of my family and old friends," Capps said . Lonergan actually had a busload of 60 people travel in for the game.

Gilpin had 16 to lead Dartmouth while crowd darlings Lonergan and Capps had 12 and seven respectively.

Dartmouth 66 New Mexico 91

Over 17,000 fans packed the Pit in Albuquerque to see Dartmouth take on Charles Smith and the Lobos of New Mexico. An 8-0 run in the last minute of the first half gave New Mexico an 18 point advantage that Dartmouth just could not make up.

"We started flat, it was just a tough place to play," Capps said. "Actually, I had trouble just breathing."

The Big Green was promptly handed their third loss and yearned once again for the sweet smell of victory.

Lonergan netted 17 points in just 30 minutes including a cool 4-4 from the line. Rob Davis '99 added 12 in a good performance off the bench.

Dartmouth 66 Pepperdine 69

Lonergan's game tying lay-up with just seconds remaining was waved off when the Big Green was called for an "away from the play" foul giving Pepperdine the late win.

"It was a tough call, one that was maybe too close to make," Capps said. Dartmouth was called for an illegal pick which allowed Lonergan to break free for the lay-in.

A last second three point attempt by Dartmouth was just off and Dartmouth suffered its fourth straight defeat. "It's a game we could have won," said Lonergan who again led all scorers with 17 Gilpin also had 17 as the Big Green finished up the year 6-4 and 1-0 in the Ivy League.

Capps, who says the team feeds off the crowds at Dartmouth knows the Big Green is looking forward to the rest of the season. The Big Green opens up 1996 by hosting Harvard on Jan. 6.