United States Coast Guard Academy - Department of Athletics - Men's Basketball

WORCESTER, MASS.--(1/24/07)--Sparked by Antoine Coleman’s 17 second-half points, the nationally ranked WPI men’s basketball team was able to hold off streaking Coast Guard 76-68 in a NEWMAC contest at Harrington Auditorium on Wednesday evening.

With the win, the 17th ranked Engineers (15-1 overall, 6-0 NEWMAC) have now won 12 consecutive games, which ties the program record for consecutive victories in a season, set in 2003-04. Coast Guard drops to 10-8 overall (1-5 NEWMAC).

The Engineers, who never trailed, had led by as many as 14 points late in the first half before the Bears scored the last four points of the half. Coast Guard would begin the second half on a 11-4 run to cut the WPI lead to one, 38-37. Grant Johnson hit three 3-pointers during the run, including one with five seconds remaining in the first half.

Coleman (game-high 23 points) would score the next eight WPI points – six of which via the trifecta to help the Engineers keep the Bears at bay.

Ryan Cain finished with 22 points, while Ryan Bourque added 15 points, including 13 in the second half and added a team-high nine rebounds. Adam Lirette tied his career-high with six assists.

For Coast Guard, Jeff Prebeck recorded a double-double to lead the Bears with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Al Sowers scored 14 points and dished the rock for a team-high six assists, while Eric Hudson and Johnson scored 13 points each.