EXHIBITION: Men's Basketball Falls To Division I New Hampshire, 78-64

DURHAM, N.H. — The Endicott men's basketball team hung tough, but ultimately fell to the University of New Hampshire (UNH), 78-64, in Wednesday evening's inter-divisional matchup between the Division I Wildcats and the Division III Gulls.

The result counts towards the Wildcats' record, but is considered an "exhibition" for the Gulls, and therefore doesn't count towards the overall season record.

Elijah Kinney (Nashville, Tenn.) led the Gulls with 18 points (7-14 FG, 4-7 3PT), two rebounds, two assists, and a theft.

Reigning Conference of New England (CNE) Rookie of the Week Marcus Montagnino (Gloucester, Mass.) posted 11 points (4-8 FG), two rebounds, and three assists in 33 minutes, while Parker McLaren (Newburyport, Mass.) chipped in with 13 points (4-8 FG, 3-6 3PT), six rebounds, a block, and a steal.

Carter Koenig (Glen Ridge, N.J.) had a career night from off the bench, as he dropped 10 points (4-9 FG, 2-5 3PT), snatched six rebounds, and dished out an assist in a career-high 18 minutes of playing time.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Gulls grabbed hold of an early 7-3 lead via a Kinney three-ball, a Montagnino turnaround jumper, and a McLaren mid-range bucket. 

After the Wildcats went up 16-10, Kinney ignited a 12-0 Gulls run. He kicked it off with a tough and-one finish through traffic around the rim, bringing the Gulls to the eight-minute media timeout.

Right out of the break, he drilled a three from the right wing to make it a one-point contest (16-15).

A UNH flagrant foul sent AJ Forte (Peabody, Mass.) to the line for two freebies, and he drained both to retake the lead for the Blue and Green. On the next possession, the freshman drilled a mid-range jumper from the free throw line, which was followed up by a Koenig triple to put the Gulls up by six (22-16) with five minutes to play in the half.

The Gulls snatched their largest lead of the game at seven (28-21) after a Montagnino theft and transition assist to Koenig, and eventually headed to the half with a 28-25 advantage.

To open the second half, McLaren drained a corner triple, and two possessions later, Kinney followed suit.

The Wildcats rattled off a brief run to regain control at 41-36, but consecutive McLaren triples kept the Gulls within a possession.

The teams continued to trade baskets through the 12-minute media timeout, capped off by another Koenig deep ball. Out of the break, the Wildcats broke loose for a 13-1 run to capture a 59-46 advantage.

However, the Gulls refused to back down. A Kinney triple highlighted a 9-2 run to once again bring it back to within two possessions (61-55). 

From there, the Wildcats rode a 17-9 spurt to victory to pull away from the Gulls, 78-64.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• First time in program history the Gulls have faced a Division I opponent.
• UNH matched up against the back-to-back Division I National Champion UConn Huskies earlier this season. The No. 2 nationally ranked Huskies bested the Wildcats 92-53 in the matchup.
• In the first half, Endicott forced 12 UNH turnovers (eight steals). They cashed in with 11 points off of the Wildcats' miscues.
• As a team, the Wildcats are shooting 38% from three-point territory on the season (second in the America East). The Gulls held them to just 9-26 shooting (34.6%) from beyond the arc in the contest.
• New Hampshire's only other win to this point in the season was over Division III UMass Boston. The Wildcats topped the Beacons by a score of 99-69.

WHAT'S NEXT

Endicott (2-1) travels to No. 13 Tufts on Saturday in a 3:30 PM tipoff. UNH (2-6) heads to Poughkeepsie, N.Y. on Saturday to take on Marist in a 2 PM matchup. 

For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

(Photo Credit - Mazzie Hinsdale '26)