Men’s Basketball
5-10 (1-4 LEC)
Following two and a half weeks off for winter break, the guys headed to New Orleans for the Big Easy Challenge. Their first game, December 29, was a nail biting win over Eastern College (Pa.), 62-61. New Orleans native Quadry Allen sank the game-winning free throw as the Beacons held on in the final minute to grab the win. The guys then went on to lose four of their next five contests, the one win being a hard-fought defensive struggle over Plymouth State, 57-52. The guys still have nearly a month before the LEC tournament, but if they want any hope of hosting a game, they’ll really have to put the pedal to the metal in their final 10 match-ups.
Women’s Basketball
5-10 (2-3 LEC)
After four straight losses, the ladies started off 2012 with a road trip to New Jersey. After dropping their first game against Rutgers-Newark, the Beacons squeaked out a tight win against U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, 57-53. Upon returning to New England, the ladies split their next four games, including a dominant showing at home against Plymouth State, which they won 64-43. The star for the Beacons this year has been Kirsten Morrison, who has made an immediate impact since she joined the team after a strong volleyball campaign. Morrison is averaging a double-double this year with 15 points and 10 rebounds, both of which lead the team. She was recently awarded for her productivity with the New England Women’s Basketball Player of the Week award for January 9.
Men’s Hockey
7-6-2 (3-5 ECAC East)
The Beacons had a very solid stretch over the winter break. They started off by hosting the 47th Codfish Bowl. After a 9-0 thumping of Southern New Hampshire, the guys faced off against Tufts for the tournament championship. Despite fantastic play in goal from Kevin Bendel, the guys suffered a 2-1 loss in overtime. After the setback, the Beacons went on a tear, first with a 3-1 win over St. Michaels, then with a stunning 2-1 upset of Norwich, the number one team in the nation. It’s the first time since 1989 that the Beacons have beaten the Cadets, and it’s the first time they defeated a team ranked in the top five nationally. The guys have 10 games remaining, including another match-up with Norwich, but they are in a good position to get a home ECAC tournament game.
Women’s Hockey
5-7-2 (3-5-1 ECAC East)
2012 started off well for the ladies. They advanced to the Codfish Bowl finals with a dominating 2-0 win against Wesleyan. Much like the men, they suffered a 2-1 overtime loss in the tournament finals to Bowdoin. After 10 days off, the ladies suffered a 5-0 loss to St. Anselm on the road. The ladies concluded the most recent stretch by splitting a two game road trip. Kayla Kiernan scored the lone goal for the Beacons in a 1-0 defeat of Plymouth state on the 20th. The next, day, they dropped a struggle to Southern Maine, 1-0, despite great play in goal. The ladies have a loaded home schedule coming up, so they have plenty of chances to make up ground in the crowded ECAC East.
Men’s Basketball:
1-24 @UMass Dartmouth, 7:30 p.m.
1-26 vs. Tufts, 7 p.m.
1-28 @ Keene, 3 p.m.
2-4 vs. RIC, 3 p.m.
Women’s Basketball:
1-24 @UMass Dartmouth, 7:30 p.m.
1-26 vs. Tufts, 7 p.m.
1-28 @ Keene, 3 p.m.
2-4 vs. RIC, 3 p.m.
Men’s Hockey:
1-27 vs. Babson, 7 p.m.
1-28 @ Babson, 4 p.m.
2-3 vs. Castleton, 7 p.m.
2-4 vs. Skidmore, 4 p.m.
Women’s Hockey1-27 @ Nichols, 7:40 p.m.
1-28 @ Manhattanville, 2 p.m.
2-3 vs. Salve Regina, 4 p.m.
2-4 vs. Holy Cross, 1 p.m.
