SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (11/18/23) – A late first half run propelled the Kean University men's basketball team to their first victory of the season and a spot in the Hampton Inn Holiday Classic Championship game with a 78-53 victory over Bates College at Western New England University on Saturday evening.

HOW IT HAPPENED!

• Kean opened with an 11-4 run, before Bates countered with an 11-5 run to take a 15-14 advantage.
• After trading buckets, the Bobcats stretched their lead to 29-23 with just under six minutes to play.
• The Cougars ended the half on a 22-7 run that broke the game wide open and propelled Kean to a 45-33 lead at halftime.
• Griffin Barker and Brandon Upshaw combined for 14 points during the run.
• Upshaw added seven points as the Cougars opened the second half with a 15-3 run to push their advantage to 21 points.
• Kean maintained at least an 18-point lead for the remainder of the contest.

INSIDE THE BOX

• Barker totaled 22 points and five rebounds.
• Upshaw finished with 12 points and three rebounds.
• JD Daniels posted 11 points and four rebounds.
• Vaughn Laki Anderson and Tyler Spencer both notched eight points apiece.
• Phil Brown Jr. grabbed seven boards.
• Kean shot 45.9% from the floor, 38.9% from downtown and 64.3% from the line.
• The Cougars scored 22 points off turnovers.

UP NEXT

• Kean will face host Western New England tomorrow in the Championship game tomorrow at 3:00 p.m.