BRONXVILLE, N.Y. - The Haverford College men's basketball team (2-1) was edged in early season non-conference action against Sarah Lawrence (1-3), falling by a final of 68-67 as the Gryphons connected on last-second free throws to take the win at home.
Nate Torres (13 points), Nicholas Stewart (13 points), and Gabriel Franklin (13 points) all tallied in double figures, leading the way for Haverford on the afternoon. Torres added nine rebounds while Stewart grabbed eight. The Gryphons earned their advantage on the glass, out-rebounding the Fords by a total of 57-41, including 21 offensive boards. Sammy Marshall led all scorers with 16 points for SLC.
The first half was an evenly matched affair as the two sides headed to the intermission tied at 34-34, as that first half featured Haverford jumping out to an 11-5 lead behind a three-pointer from Josh Love with 16:24 to play. Haverford's lead eventually hit 14-5 as Harry Johnson completed a three-point play, and a Nick Stewart jumper put the Fords up by 13 at 20-7. From that point, the hosts slowly eroded the Haverford advantage, closing the half on an 11-0 run to earn the tie.
The two sides struggled to find separation in the second half, with Torres giving the Fords a three-point lead with 16:10 to go, and Ryan Trotter eventually extending that advantage to five with 15:36 to play. Nick Kerkorian hit a pair of free throws with 11:33 left in regulation to push the advantage back to five. The lead was steady at that five-point mark with 7:48 remaining following a Franklin jumper, but a Gryphons spurt cut the Haverford lead to just 58-57. Chris Torres tied the score for the hosts with 4:20 to play, and Sarah Lawrence briefly took a three-point lead at 64-61. After a Nate Torres free throw conversion, the lead hit four with 2:02 to go as Lucas Murray connected from the line.
With 57 seconds remaining, a three-pointer from Franklin tied the score at 66-66, and after a fruitless possession from the Gryphons, Kerkorian was fouled with nine seconds remaining. He hit one of his two free throws, putting Haverford up by one at 67-66. The game would be decided at the charity stripe, but not until one second remained on the game clock as Haverford was whistled for a shooting foul on the final possession and in the final second, sending Marshall to the line. Marshall hit both of his attempts, giving the hosts a 68-67 advantage. A last-ditch heave from Torres was off target as Sarah Lawrence escaped with the narrowest of victories in the matinee.
Haverford now returns to action with a home contest inside Gooding '84 Arena on Tuesday night, November 16, as Haverford takes on Eastern. Tip-off time is slated for 7:30 p.m.