BRONXVILLE, N.Y. — The Pratt Institute men's basketball team extended its winning streak to four games on Wednesday night, holding off Sarah Lawrence College for a 69-65 road victory at the Campbell Sports Center.
With the win, the Cannoneers improve to 6-2 on the season, continuing their best start in over a decade.
Junior forward Trey Phillips (Phoenix, Ariz.) was the catalyst, pouring in a career-high 28 points to lead all scorers. Phillips was hyper-efficient, shooting 11-of-15 from the field and a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc while adding four rebounds and four blocks. Senior guard Mekhi Davis (Brooklyn, N.Y.) joined him in double figures with 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting, and sophomore guard Thomas Graetz (Sydney, Australia) chipped in 12 points.
The game was a tight affair featuring 10 lead changes and five ties. Pratt jumped out early, using a 12-2 run capped by a Phillips 3-pointer to take a 17-7 lead midway through the first half. Sarah Lawrence (2-5) responded, chipping away to briefly take a 32-30 lead in the final minute. However, Graetz buried a triple with 31 seconds remaining to send the Cannoneers into the locker room with a slim 33-32 advantage.
The Gryphons surged ahead in the second half, leading by as many as five at 43-38. Pratt clawed back, reclaiming the lead on a Davis jumper. The teams traded blows down the stretch, with a Graetz jumper breaking a 58-58 tie with 5:19 to play.
After Sarah Lawrence went up 61-60, Pratt scored five straight points, highlighted by a Phillips tip-in, to take a 65-61 lead with 3:07 left. Leading 65-63, Phillips delivered again with a clutch layup at the 1:50 mark. The defense held firm in the final minute, with senior Cameron Hatcher (Cincinnati, Ohio) securing a crucial steal with 17 seconds remaining to help seal the victory.
Eamon Kelly led Sarah Lawrence with 27 points, draining six 3-pointers, while Andrew Kim added 17 points and six assists.
Pratt dominated the interior, outscoring the Gryphons 40-18 in the paint, and shot 56.3 percent (27-of-48) from the field for the game.
The Cannoneers return to the Pratt ARC on Friday, Dec. 5, to host Washington College (Md.) at 6 p.m.
