HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Swarthmore College men's basketball team earned its sixth victory in the last seven games, and its third in a row, on Wednesday night as the Garnet took down Haverford College, 79-68, in Centennial Conference action.
Swarthmore jumped out to an 8-0 lead and never trailed in the contest. The Garnet took an eight-point cushion into the second half and held off an early Fords rally as the home team cut the deficit to one. Swarthmore maintained the advantage and was able to pull away down the stretch.
Eddie Paquette and
Devin Burger each recorded a double-double while
Zander Jimenez nearly gave the Garnet a third. Paquette tallied 16 points, 10 rebounds, and three steals while Burger totaled 12 points and 10 boards. Jimenez produced a versatile performance with 16 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Cal Hanson contributed 13 points to give Swarthmore four players in double figures.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Garnet posted the first eight points of the game for an early lead. Hanson started the night with a three before Paquette hit another shot from downtown. Jimenez concluded the two-minute barrage with a jumper.
- Haverford snapped out of its slump with 10 of the next 12 points to even the score at 10 with 14:26 on the clock. The Fords shot 4-of-6 during the stretch. However, Swarthmore answered in resounding fashion, going on a 17-2 run to go ahead 27-12 with 7:26 to go in the period. Paquette led the charge with seven points and Burger drained back-to-back threes during the surge.
- Haverford bounced back with 14 consecutive points to close the gap to one (27-26) with 2:56 left before halftime. However, the Garnet then closed the half of runs with seven straight to lead 34-26 at the break.
- In the second half, the Fords hit a three to trail by one (40-39) with 14:26 to play. Swarthmore responded with nine in a row to regain a double-digit advantage (49-39) at the 11:41 mark. Four different players chipped in during the run.
- Haverford was able to close to within four on multiple occasions, the last being with 5:19 remaining (60-56). The Garnet followed with four free throws and a layup to go up by 10 once more (66-56) with 4:08 to go. The margin was seven (72-65) with 1:00 left before Swarthmore scored seven points down the stretch to finish off the victory.
GARNET LEADERS
Points: Paquette, Jimenez 16
Rebounds: Paquette, Burger 10
Assists: Jimenez 4
Blocks:
Aidan Godfrey,
Caleb Aurelien 1
Steals: Paquette, Jimenez 3
Threes: Paquette, Burger 2
UP NEXT
The Garnet (14-6, 6-2 Centennial) return home to take on Franklin and Marshall College on Saturday.
