NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Despite a season-high 20 points from sophomore Kevin Crawford (Bridgeport, Conn.), the Albertus Magnus College men's basketball team fell at home to the visiting Camels of Connecticut College by a final score of 67-55 in a non-conference bout Monday evening inside "The Nest".

Along with Crawford, senior Terry Dawkins (Bronx, N.Y.) also scored in double-figures, finishing with 14 points, eight rebounds, and an assist.

THE BASICS
Final: Albertus Magnus 67 | Connecticut 55
Records: Albertus Magnus (8-4, 6-1 GNAC) | Connecticut (8-6, 2-2 NESCAC )
Box Score

HOW IT HAPPENED
Conn. College came out to play against the Falcons as the visitors opened regulation with a 5-0 run behind two scorers, forcing Albertus to call a timeout a minute and a half into the game. However, the Falcons' defense continued to do its part, keeping the Camels from scoring for the next two minutes until a layup from David Murray ended the drought.

Albertus finally connected for its first basket of the game at 15:36 as Dawkins made a big layup in the paint, but could not complete the three-point play. From there, Conn. College continued running its offense and found themselves up by 12, 14-2, following an 8-2 run, igniting a second timeout from Head Coach Mitch Oliver.

Out of the break, the Camels remained in control both offensively and defensively until a three-point play at 12:08, and two made free throws at 11:53 from Crawford gave the Falcons some energy. Trailing by 11, 18-7, Albertus saw the deficit grow to as much as 17, 26-9, following an 8-2 burst from the Camels. The hosts were held in check until the 6:41 mark, as the Falcons began to build up momentum offensively, following a layup from Crawford and a three-point play from Dawkins.

Albertus did not let a free throw from Conn. College deter its momentum, as a pair of made free throws from Mekhi Warren (New Haven, Conn.) and a layup from Tyreek Perkins (New Haven, Conn.) brought the score to within single digits, 27-18, with 4:22 left on the clock. However, the Falcons' momentum was short-lived, as the visitors regained possession of the ball and exploded for a 7-2 run to regain the double-digit lead, 34-20, heading into the halftime break.

The tides began to shift in the Falcons' favor after halftime as the hosts opened the second half with a 6-1 run to cut the deficit to within nine, 35-26, two minutes in. Perkins scored all six of the Falcons' points during the run, including a 3-pointer and a three-point play.

Despite trailing by double-digits once again, Albertus continued to fight on every possession as five straight points from Crawford brought the hosts to within six, 37-31, with 13:43 left to play. Over the next seven minutes, Albertus and Conn. College traded baskets until an 8-4 run, sparked by a pair of free throws from Rob Tindley (Lawnside, N.J), cut the deficit to five, 49-44, and forced a Camel's timeout with 6:10 remaining.

Shortly after, the intensity between the two teams began to pick up as the Falcons kept within five until back-to-back baskets from Crawford and Dawkins cut the visitor's lead to three, 51-48, at the 3:39 mark. Then, however, momentum shifted back in favor of the Camels, as the visitors pushed their lead back up to double-digits and never looked back, securing the non-conference road victory over the Falcons.

TEAM STATS
Albertus: 35.1% FG | 16.7% 3PT | 51.9% FT
Connecticut: 44.9% FG | 26.3% 3PT | 60.0% FT

KEY PERFORMERS
Albertus:
Kevin Crawford - 20 points (7-12 FG, 6-11 FT) 3 rebounds| 1 assists | 4 steals | 2 block
Terry Dawkins - 14 points (6-10 FG, 2-4 FT) | 8 rebounds | 1 assists
Mekhi Warren - 8 points (3-10 FG, 2-2 FT) | 8 rebounds | 1 assists | 1 steal | 1 block

Connecticut:
Cam Schainfeld - 18 points (6-13 FG, 1-4 3PT, 5-12 FT) 4 rebounds | 2 assists | 1 steals
Jarron Flynn - 16 points (6-14 FG, 0-4 PT, 4-7 FT) | 5 rebounds | 1 assists | 2 steals

NOTEWORTHY

• Today's game marks the 13th all-time meeting between the Falcons and Camels.
• After today's game, Conn. College owns a 9-4 advantage in the all-time series.
• Crawford has led the team in back-to-back games in scoring.
• Crawford set a season-high in points (20), blocks (2), and steals (4).
• Dawkins has scored 10+ points in his last three games.
• Dawkins has also led the Falcons in rebounding in the last four games.
• Warren tied his season-high in rebounds with eight.
• Isaiah Lewis (New Haven, Conn.) recorded a season-high in rebounds with five.

UP NEXT
The Falcons will continue their conference slate with a home showdown against the Bulldogs of Dean College on Wednesday evening inside the Cosgrove Marcus Messer Athletic Center. Tip-off is set for 7:30 PM.