Milton, MA - Curry College men's basketball dropped a battle at Katz Gymnasium, falling to Johnson & Wales (RI), 90–82. With a game that saw 14 lead changes, the offense of Johnson & Wales was just enough to get past the Colonels on their home court. 

 

Johnson & Wales built momentum early, behind an 11-2 start, and multiple triples from Azariah Harrison. Harrison was sharp from the perimeter and aggressive attacking the rim, finishing with 23 points. Omar Grullon added a game-high 25 points off the bench for the Wildcats, who shot at nearly a 50/40/90 clip in the first half. Even without having made a three of their own in the first 20 minutes, Curry's 53.8% effort inside the arc kept them within reach as they trailed 47-38 at the break.

 

In the second half, the Colonels found their stride early as the halftime deficit was erased by the 13:30 mark. A 19-10 start to the half allowed for Curry to pull back even, which consisted of contributions across the board. 

 

Isaiah Andino played a huge part in the comeback with a team-high 22 points, and 14 in the second, consistently getting to the line and knocking down key baskets to keep the Colonels within striking distance. Tommy Mallinson also delivered a strong all-around performance, contributing 15 points, four assists, and three steals while logging all 40 minutes. 

 

Nethaniel Clemente made his presence felt inside, recording a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, giving Curry second-chance opportunities and controlling the paint on both ends. Jeremiah Predin added 12 points in an efficient shooting effort, while Curry shot an even 50 percent from the field as a team on the afternoon.

 

Despite the Colonels' offensive rhythm, Johnson & Wales capitalized at the free-throw line, converting 28-of-34 attempts, which down the stretch helped the Wildcats to secure the victory despite a late scare.

 

Up Next: The Colonels will head to University of New England for a CNE matchup on Wednesday, January 28th.