The Colby Echo

Issue date: 2/9/07 Section: Sports

Despite a somewhat rocky January, men's basketball is still focusing on their goal of making the New England Small College Athletic Conference playoffs. The Mules were able to pull off several wins over the month of January including victories over the University of Southern Maine, Maine Maritime Academy, Wesleyan University, Connecticut College, University of Maine at Farmington and Bowdoin College. The three big wins against the NESCAC opponents of Wesleyan, Connecticut College and Bowdoin were solid victories showing that Colby is still very much in the race for postseason play. These wins along with the intense match up against undefeated Amherst College prove the Mules to be on top of their game.

Senior Captain Drew Cohen commented that, "We did win two big home games against Wesleyan and Connecticut College and played the number one team in the country in Amherst to the wire which shows we can play with anyone. Right now we are 2-4 in conference but have a great chance at finishing strong against Bowdoin, Tufts and Bates."

The men certainly did play Amherst down to the wire seeing as Amherst only led the Mules by one point with eight minutes left in the game. Colby managed to stay within a couple points of the Lord Jeff's throughout most of the game, but Amherst unfortunately was able to push ahead and hold them off to clinch the win. A similar game occurred the next night against another NESCAC opponent, Trinity College. The Mules managed to come back during the second half to make it 64-61 with five minutes left to play. A couple of key shots for the Bantams, however, allowed them to pull away to secure the victory.

As well as these games were played, the losses were still tough for the Mules to swallow. Senior Captain Nick Farrell, however, feels confident as they approach the last several crucial games. Farrell stated that, "Just like the past four years, the playoffs start early for us as we need to get another win to make them. We are confident right now though, and after last night's game against UMF we are starting to get our swagger back."

The disappointments in January were not enough to shake the confidence revealed at the beginning of the season. The Mules, now 12-10 overall and 3-4 in the conference, are still in the running for a championship. A few more key wins and their spot in the playoffs is clinched.

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