The Southern Connecticut Men's Basketball team fell to Bentley in a nail-biting overtime match, 90-89, dropping their season record to 3-4 and 2-3 in the Northeast-10 Conference. Albert Vargas led the Owls with an impressive 32 points, while Cherif Diarra contributed significantly with a double-double, recording 10 points and 16 rebounds. The game was tightly contested with dramatic momentum shifts, featuring nine lead changes and ten ties, ultimately culminating in an overtime showdown where fouls played a critical role in the result.

By the Numbers
  • Albert Vargas scored 32 points, with four assists and one steal.
  • Cherif Diarra achieved a double-double with 10 points and 16 rebounds.
  • The game had nine lead changes and ten ties.
  • Southern committed 27 fouls, while Bentley had only 15.
Yes, But

Despite a strong performance from Vargas and Diarra, the Owls' high foul count significantly impacted their chances, leading to key players fouling out and limiting their effectiveness in crucial moments. This disparity in fouls raises questions about officiating consistency as Bentley secured several key points from the free-throw line.

State of Play
  • The Owls are currently struggling with a 3-4 record this season.
  • They have lost three out of their five Northeast-10 Conference games.
  • A lack of depth contributed to issues in overtime, with multiple players fouling out.
What's Next

The Owls will travel to Philadelphia to face Holy Family in a non-conference matchup on December 14th, looking to bounce back from this narrow defeat and improve their overall record.

Bottom Line

The close loss underscores both the offensive capability of the Owls and their challenges in maintaining defensive discipline, especially as they prepare for upcoming games where managing fouls will be critical to their success.