Ernst Jean continued his hot shooting in an LEC playoff game against the UMass Dartmouth Corsairs, but his 29 points weren’t enough, as the Beacons fell 131-63 in an opening-round road loss.

Jean shot 11-15 from the floor and was completely dominant during stretches of the action, a clear bright spot for the young Beacons (2-24, 1-13). The sophomore was the only Beacon to score in the double digits, while Terrell Maddox and Aaron Jones each scored 8 points.

Six Corsairs scored double figures, although none approached Jean’s point total. Guard A.J. Tavares and center Dan Holbrook each scored 19 points, leading the Corsairs. However, the Beacons did a much better job containing Holbrook than the last time they played, when he dominated the paint en route to 34 points.

The Corsairs were on fire from beyond the arc, shooting 15-29 from downtown. The 131 total points scored was an LEC playoff record, and only one point shy of the all-time NCAA Division III record for most points.

Amigo Paniagua was still feeling the effects of a groin injury that limited the Beacons’ leading scorer to five points. The Beacons clearly missed the 16.2 ppg average a healthy Paniagua was able to provide during the season. He was the only Beacon to average double-figures during the season.

Also, senior Mark Doran was slowed up by the Corsair defense. Doran, who had been averaging 20 ppg over his last four contests, was limited to only five field goal attempts and two points in his final contest with the Beacons.

While the team had a disappointing season, things are looking up for the Beacons. Paniagua and Doran will move on, but A.J. Titus and the youthful core will be back next season, including a fresh bunch of recruits. Without a doubt, Charlie Titus will have the men’s team battling deep into the LEC playoffs next season.