WALTHAM, Mass. – In a contest that saw 11 ties and 11 lead changes, sophomore forward Toby Harris (Durham, N.C./Durham Academy) buried a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:20 left to help deliver the Brandeis University men's basketball team a 58-52 Senior Day victory over the University of Chicago Maroons today in a University Athletic Association game in Red Auerbach Arena.

TEAM RECORDS

• Brandeis, 12-10, 4-7 UAA.
• Chicago, 9-13, 2-9 UAA.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• In a tightly-defended first half, the Judges and Maroons shot just 34 percent from the field combined, including 21 percent from 3-point range.
• The first stanza saw five ties and seven lead changes, with Brandeis taking a 26-25 lead into the locker room after Harris and UC's Eamonn Kenah traded late 3-pointers.
• Harris led the Judges with eight points at the break, while Bryce Hopkins was 5-for-5 for 10 points for the Maroons.
• Chicago made a move to start the second half, scoring the first eight points to take a 33-26 lead on a Hopkins 3 with 17:23 to go in the game.
• After a Brandeis timeout, the Judges responded with a 12-4 run, reclaiming the lead on another Harris 3-pointer at the 13:24 mark.
• The defenses were excellent, as neither team allowed the other to pull away.
• After Hopkins hit a jumper to give the visitors a 46-44 lead with 7:03 on the clock, the only scoring over the next 4:18 was a pair of Brandeis free throws that tied the game.
• At 2:45, Judge first-year Jake Bender (Hope, R.I. / St. George's School) converted a traditional three-point play on the fast break after a steal by junior Sam Adusei (Worcester, Mass./St George's School) to give Brandeis a 49-46 lead.
• Chicago's Kenah answered with a three-point play of his own on an offensive put-back with 1:41 on the clock  to knot things again at 49-all.
• On the ensuing possession, Brandeis got the ball over half court and called another timeout. After the Judges worked the ball around the perimeter, Harris connected on the key trifecta from the right elbow on a feed by Bender.
• The Brandeis defense was stout, with Adusei and junior Ryan Power (Waltham, Mass./Waltham) getting steals on back-to-back possessions. The Judges hit 3-of-4 foul shots to extend their lead to 55-49.
• Berry hit a 3-pointer with 32.5 seconds to go, but the Judges hit another 3-of-4 from the line while Power had another steal to secure the victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Harris tied for game-high honors with 21 points. He hit 6-of-15 from the floor, 5-of-8 from downtown and       4-of-6 from the line. It was his 11^th 20-point game of the season, and first since Jan. 22 against Emory.
• He also grabbed 10 rebounds to tie for game-high honors, registering his third double-double of the season.
• Power added eight points off the bench, while Bender had a career-high seven points and four rebounds.
• UC's Berry matched Harris for game-high honors with 21 points, while Kenah added 11 pints.
• Thomas Kurowski matched Harris' game-high 10 rebounds.
• Turnovers were a key factor in the game. Brandeis committed just eight while Chicago had 20, including nine on Brandeis steals. Power led the Judges with four thefts, while Adusei and sophomore center Griffin Wallbridge (Longmeadow, Mass. / Tabor Academy) each had two. Brandeis converted the turnover into a 16-3 advantage in points off miscues.
• That helped offset Chicago's 40-31 rebounding edge and 41% to 33% shooting advantage.
• Brandeis also outscored UC, 14-5, from the free-throw line.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• With the win, Brandeis snapped a six-game losing streak.
• The Judges have won seven of the last eight from Chicago and have swept the Maroons in three of the last four seasons.

SENIOR DAY

• Before the game, Brandeis honored its three seniors who were playing in their final home games
  • Guard Darret Justice (Haymarket, Va./Highland School)
  • Guard Terrell Brown (Lowell, Mass./Proctor Academy)
  • Guard Dylan Lien (Northborough, Mass./Worcester Academy)

UP NEXT

• The Judges conclude their season with a three-game UAA road trip, starting next Friday evening at the University of Rochester at 7:30 p.m.