The Middlebury men's basketball team battled but ultimately fell to the Hamilton Continentals by a 73-60 margin on Saturday from Pepin Gymnasium. Before the contest, the program honored seniors Evan Flaks, Jackson McKersie, Mark Newell, Oliver Urena and Edward Witherington. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• The Continentals and Panthers jockeyed for position early in the opening half, splitting the first 20 points for a 10-10 contest with 11:32 remaining. Flaks and Newell led the navy and white charge with four points apiece.
• Jalen Reese and Jack Stowell combined for a 4-0 spurt to push Hamilton ahead (14-10) at the 11:27 mark.
• Urena gave the hosts a spark, nailing a three-pointer that kicked off eight consecutive points to push Middlebury ahead 18-14 with 8:17 left in the half.
• The Continentals regained the momentum, ending the first stanza on a 20-4 run for a 34-22 lead at the break. Five Hamilton players scored in the jolt, headlined by seven from Garret Keyhani.
• The Panthers chipped away at the deficit, establishing a 14-9 stretch across the initial 6:33 of the half to make the score 43-36. Dominick Ducree led the surge with nine.
• The Continentals took 10 of 18 over the ensuing 5:12 before a three-point field goal from Witherington returned the deficit to six (53-47) with 7:53 remaining.
• Hamilton stayed the course, adding a 6-0 run after the Panther bucket to rebuild a 59-47 lead at the 4:37 mark.
• The hosts made one final push, as a three-pointer by Ducree made it 69-60 with less than a minute left. The Contentials DID X (made free throws, added two baskets, whatever happened) to seal the 73-60 decision.

NOTES

• Ducree led the Panthers with 13 points.
• Urena netted a career-high nine points, while Witherington had a solid all-around game with six points, a team-high eight rebounds and three blocks.
• Hamilton and Middlebury met for the 52nd time.

The Panthers close their regular season with an 8-16 mark.