Middlebury Captures BSU Bears Invitational Title

Bridgewater, Mass. – Tournament MVP Dylan Sinnickson converted a key three-point play to ignite a game-ending 9-0 run as Middlebury College erased a four point deficit in the final two minutes and the Panthers laid claim to the 2014 BSU Bears Invitational crown with a 72-67 win over Clark University on Sunday afternoon at Tinsley Gymnasium.

Sinnickson, who did most of his damage in the first half, finished with 26 points and 16 rebounds - his fourth consecutive double-double to start the season.

Middlebury, meanwhile, improved to 4-0 with the win, while Clark sees its brief two-game win streak come to an end and they now sit at 2-2.

The Cougars' Andrew Musler (Belmont, Mass.), who averaged 18 points and nine rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the field (14-for-28) in the two games, was named to the all-tournament team.

Clark found itself down by as many as 15 in the first half and the Panther lead stood at 14, early in the second half when Hunter Merryman drained a three-pointer making the score 49-35.

The Cougars methodically trimmer the lead during the middle part of the period and even though they went nearly six minutes without a basket, the Scarlet and White's constant march to the free throw line aided in their cause.

Joseph Atkinson (Milford, Mass.) made two free throws with 3:42 left to knot the score at 63-63 and then David Mercier (Milford, Mass.) connected on two of his own moments later to give Clark their first lead since the first half.

The lead jumped to four at 67-63 when Mercier shook free inside for an easy finish with 1:32 left.

Unfortunately for the Cougars, that would be their final points as the Panthers went on their game ending spurt. After Sinnickson registered his three-point play, Jake Brown dropped in a short jumper, making the score, 68-67. Merryman then made two from the charity stripe moments later giving Middlebury a 70-67 advantage with 13 seconds left.

Clark had one final shot, but Nicholas DaPrato (Marshfield, Mass.) saw his game-tying leftside three-point attempt go long with two seconds to go.

As they did in their season-opening loss to Fitchburg State, the Scarlet and White struggled from the behind the arc, going just 4-for-28.

DaPrato and Mercier led the way for Clark with 14 points apiece and Mercier added seven boards. Musler, meanwhile, totaled 11 points and 11 rebounds and Tyler Huffman (West Hartford, Conn.) came off the bench to score 11 as well.

In addition to Sinnickson, Merryman added 16 points and six rebounds for Middlebury. Merryman was also slected to the All-Tournament Team.

The Cougars will return to the hardwood on Tuesday with a road trip to Anna Maria. Tipoff is slated for 4:00 p.m.