Wolverines Snap Streak, Earn Win Over Exeter

Taking a page out of the University of Connecticut's playbook, where an assistant coach replaces the Hall of Fame head coach do to illness, the Wolverines took on Phillips Exeter with assistant Bob Holden at the helm. Bridgton, slumping of late, was looking for a much needed NEPSAC victory. The Wolverdome had a different feel early Wednesday evening, without the animated Lesure patrolling the sidelines. Holden used his calm demeanor to guide the Wolverines to an 80-69 victory.
Assistant Coach Bob Holden stepped in to lead Bridgton to a victory over Exeter

Exeter scored the first basket of the game, but Bridgton used a 12-0 run to pull away early, but a determined Exeter squad would not allow Bridgton to run away with it as they came back to make it 24-23 with 11:26 to play. BA then went on a 6-0 run including four straight points from Justin Miller (Agawam, MA) to lead 30-23. Once again Exeter would not let BA break it open, as James Herring hit one of his four first half three pointers to tie the game at 34-34 with 4:01 remaining. Alex Harris (Richmond, CA) hit a three to end the half and send the Wolverines into the locker room up, 45-38.
#34 Justin Miller puts up two of his four straight points in a win over Exeter

The hot shooting of Herring continued early in the second half as his three pointer with 13:12 brought the Lions within one, 53-52, with 13:12 to play. Bridgton answered right back with a three from Harris, and the teams exchanged buckets for the majority of the half. It was a three point game with 6:12 to play before the Wolverines were able to get some breathing room. Kevin Anthony (Columbus, OH) sealed the victory by slamming home an alley-oop with 1:20 to play, and the Wolverines went on to win by a score of 80-69.
#33 Paul Dick knocks down three of his 17 points against Exeter

In a game that was closer than the final score indicated, the Wolverines were able to snap a three game losing streak, and in doing so Holden picked up his first career win. Following the game the assistant coach said, "I got the call about 10am this morning, but thought I was being set up. When I showed up for shoot around and Whit (Lesure) and Tim (Atwood) weren't here I was looking around for them hiding somewhere."

Eight players got on the board for BA, including six with five points or more. Harris finished with a game high 26, Paul Dick (Belfast, Ireland) added 17, Chance Jones (Knoxville, TN) had 15, with 12 coming in the first half by way of 4 three pointers. For Phillips Exeter James Herring finished with 18, coming off of six threes.

Holden kept it simple with the players telling them before the game, "It's your team, go out there and play like one. Bring it from practice to the game, and we will make adjustments when we need to." Holden's second half adjustment of matching Addison Williams (Boulder, CO) up with Herring paid off as Herring only hit two shots in the second half, "Addison was big for us in the second half, shutting down a hot shooter." Holden went on to say, "Every year Exeter comes here and they are a tough team to beat, the have a disciplined and well executed offense."

With the win Bridgton improves to 9-14, with two NEPSAC games remaining, but first a rematch with Lee Academy, who beat the Wolverines earlier in the year, on Sunday, on the road.