DANBURY, Conn. - Despite a game-high 22 points from sophomore forward Marcel Henry (Yonkers, N.Y.), the Western Connecticut State University men's basketball squad was edged on Wednesday evening as they fell to visiting archrival Eastern Connecticut, 78-73, in the Little East Conference opener for both teams at Stephen Feldman Arena.  Prior to the game, the WestConn 2024-25 squad was awarded the Schoenfield Sportsmanship Award by the Collegate Basketball Officials Association.
 

Juniors Jahlyl Morgan (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) and Jaysean Morgan (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) chipped in with 13 and 10 points, respectively, for the Wolves while classmate guard Elijah Guillaume (Danbury, Conn.) notched a game-high three blocked shots. 

The Warriors shot a red-hot 11-of-20 from three-point territory which proved to be the difference maker. Senior forward Julian Sanchez (Willimantic, Conn.) paced the visitors off the bench with a double-double on 16 points to go along with a game-high 12 boards. Four other players recorded double figures in scoring during the winning effort. 

WestConn held an early 8-3 lead - their largest of the game - when rookie guard Anthony Simpson (Simsbury, Conn.) sank a midrange jumper. However, Eastern countered and would gradually build up a 12-point cushion when Sanchez grabbed a shot off the glass and raced down the court for a layup to make it 44-32 just before the break.

The Wolves would not give up and trimmed the advantage to just two points when junior guard Tayejon Lynch (Cambria Heights, N.Y.) stroked a trifecta midway through the second half off a pass from Jahlyl Morgan. But the Warriors retaliated with another spurt to seize a 75-62 lead with just under five minutes remaining when junior guard Pedro Perry (New London, Conn.) connected on a runner. Once again, WestConn continued to fight back. This time they rallied with an 11-1 run to slice the gap to just 76-73 with nine seconds left on the clock when Henry drilled an NBA-distance three-pointer from outside the top of the key. But the Wolves were forced to foul on the ensuing possession and Dao calmly sank a pair of free throws to seal the victory for the Warriors.

With the loss, WestConn dropped to 3-3 overall and 0-1 in league play, while Eastern improved to 5-1 and 1-0. The Wolves return to action for another LEC tilt when they head to Southern Maine on Saturday at 3 p.m.