Opening up 2025 Conference of New England (CNE) action this afternoon, Gordon College Men's Basketball traveled to Connecticut to take on the Hawks of Hartford where the blue and white made a late push, but the home team was able to secure the 85-81 win.

For the Fighting Scots, Bernie McGuinness had a team-high 25 points, while Ryan Brooks recorded a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Hartford had five players in double-digits with Kaosi Chijioke leading the charge with 23 points, followed by Joshua Petion who chipped in 16 points.

How It Happened

• Back-to-back shots from downtown off the fingertips of McGuinness doubled up the Hawks (12-6), five minutes into the first half. With 3:26 left until halftime, Brooks drained a pair from the charity stripe to give the Scots their biggest lead of the frame (35-25). However, the home team shrunk the deficit in the final minutes to make it a 37-34 game at the break.
• The Hawks started off the second half in control taking their first lead since early in the first, but Gordon answered back locking the scoreboard up at 50-all before going back on top 52-50 thanks to a pull up jumper from Brycen Matthews. After one more trade of lead changes, the Hawks held the narrow edge for the remainder of the half, but the Scots never stopped fighting. Hartford called a timeout with the 80-73 lead with 1:17 to go, and after the ball was put back in play, Brandon Swann nailed a three-pointer to make it a four-point game with 1:07 on the clock. Brooks brought the gap to three points soon after, before Hartford connected on their free throws to extend their advantage to 84-78 with 12 seconds remaining. Once again battling, Alex Daniel hit one from behind the arc with six seconds left in regulation (84-81), but Hartford come away with the victory. 

Beyond The Box Score

• Ryan Brooks registered his second double-double of the season today.
• Bernie McGuinness has now netted 20 or more points in seven of the Scots' 11 games this season.
• Next up for the blue and white is another CNE contest on Tuesday, January 7 as they travel into Boston to face the Suffolk Rams at 7:30 p.m.