THE BASICS 
Score: Coast Guard Academy 84, Emerson 77
Records: Emerson Lions (2-7, NEWMAC 0-2); Coast Guard Academy Bears (6-2, NEWMAC 0-2)
Location: Boston, MA (Brown & Plofker Gym)
Date: December 9, 2023
The Lead: Despite a double-double from Asher Gardiner, the Lions came up short in overtime against the visiting Coast Guard Academy on Saturday afternoon at Brown and Plofker Gym
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

EMERSON
Asher Gradiner: 22 points & 15 rebounds
Lucas Brenner: 13 points & 7 rebounds
Guillermo Gasset Ruiz: 8 points & 6 assists

USCGA
Elijah Parent: 17 points
Cameron Brown: 12 points & 9 rebounds
Mitch Shettles: 15 points
Declan Rooney: 15 points & 8 rebounds
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Emerson played host to the Coast Guard Academy for their first NEWMAC home contest of the 2023-24 season. The first 20 minutes was a back-and-forth affair with 7 lead changes.  The Lions were led by Lucas Brenner and Brendan McNamara in the first half as each guard dropped in 7 points on 3 of 6 shooting from the field. Mitch Shettles led the Bears with 8 points on 4 of 7 shooting from the field.
• The Bears were only able to convert on one of their 8 three pointers in the first half as they shot 47% from the field. The Lions drilled four of their 14 attempts from downtown but only shot 33% overall from the field.
• The Bears held a 38-34 lead as the teams entered halftime.
• The second half was much of the same from both sides as there were 6 lead changes. Asher Gardiner led all scorers in the second half with 14 of his game-high 22 points and pulled down 8 of his 15 rebounds.
• Neither side could build a substantial lead and with just under two minutes remaining in regulation, Elijah Parent drilled a jumper for Coast Guard, knotting the score at 66-66 and ultimately sending the game to overtime.
• Mitch Shettles led all scorers in the overtime period as he scored 7 of the Bears' 18 points. The Bears pulled away late in the overtime period with free throws as they were able to top the Lions on Saturday afternoon by a score of 84-77.