POMONA, Calif. - The Haverford College men's basketball team (3-6) contested the first game of a west coast back-to-back on Thursday, as the Fords fell just short in a non-conference matchup against Pomona-Pitzer (6-4) on Thursday afternoon, dropping a 59-53 decision.
The Fords were led by Charlie Mamlin off the bench, as he scored a career-high 27 points on seven made three-pointers. His seven three-pointers in a single contest tied for the second most in the program's history.
Out of the first half gates, both teams struggled to score early on. Ryan Trotter scored the first five points for the Fords as Haverford led 5-2 in the first five minutes. However, back-to-back three-pointers from Brendan Mora and Hayden Moser gave Pomona-Pitzer their first lead of the game. Nate Torres pulled Haverford back within one, but a quick flurry of baskets from Pomona-Pitzer pushed the Sagehens lead to five.
Charlie Mamlin saw his first game action with just over ten minutes remaining in the half and the sharpshooter quickly made his mark on the contest. The senior made a three with 10:19 on the clock and then buried another from the corner at 8:33 to tie the game at 16-all.
With both teams still struggling from the field and Haverford now down two, it was Mamlin who continued his scoring touch with a sweet mid-range fadeaway to even the game back up at 18. However, Pomona-Pitzer ended the half on a 13-2 run after finally getting some key shots to fall.
In the first half, there wasn't much action outside of the final four minutes from the Sagehens. Haverford struggled from the field, connecting at just a 7-for-26 clip and shooting 27 percent from the field. The Fords were out-rebounded 24-16 and turned the ball over three more times than their opponents. Mamlin led the Fords in the first half scoring eight points.
The second half got off to a much faster start than the first. The Sagehens tried to extend the lead multiple times, at one point leading by 14, but the Fords wouldn't go away behind Nate Torres who scored five of Haverford's opening nine points in the stanza. The Fords kept the game within ten points, with aspirations of cutting it down further in the first ten minutes of the second half. The goal was ultimately reached thanks to the effort of Nicholas Stewart.
Mamlin showed no signs of slowing down in the second half and was key in the Fords comeback effort. The Ohio native made back-to-back threes at the 11:49 and 11:27 mark to bring Haverford within three points of the hosts as the score sat at 41-38. Pomona-Pitzer survived the scoring run from the Fords as they pushed the lead back up to eight with just under eight minutes remaining.
Haverford once again had to put in another comeback effort and it was Mamlin getting buckets once again for the Fords. The score was 53-44 with 2:58 remaining in the game before Mamlin knocked down a three to cut the lead to six. Pomona-Pitzer answered with two baskets before Mamlin knocked down another shot from beyond the arc to cut the lead back down to seven. Mamlin then cut the lead down to four with another three but it was too little too late as there were just 21 seconds left in the game. The Sagehens were able to hold on despite the strong effort from the Fords.
Torres was the only other Ford to reach double digits, scoring 12 points and grabbing five rebounds. Haverford finished the game with 10 made three-pointers and 14 assists on 18 made field goals.
The Fords return to action tomorrow for their second game of the back-to-back as they take on No. 13 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps at 8:30 p.m. eastern time.