LAKE FOREST, IL – In a contest defined by defensive intensity and significant momentum swings, the Beloit College men's basketball team showcased remarkable resilience on this evening. Despite the effort from the bench and a dominant defensive performance at the rim, the Buccaneers (5-10,0-6 MWC) fell just short in a 69-61 loss to the Lake Forest College Foresters (10-5,5-1 MWC) at the Sports & Recreation Center.
Beloit wasted no time establishing their presence. In the opening minutes of the first half, Beloit's defense stifled the Foresters, allowing the visitors to jump out to a 6-0 lead—their largest of the game—at the 16:27 mark.
The first half was a back-and-forth defensive struggle. While Lake Forest eventually reclaimed a slim lead, the Bucs remained within striking distance, heading into the locker room trailing only 28-24. The Buccaneers' ability to stay competitive was fueled by a bench that outscored Lake Forest's reserves 30-9 over the course of the night.
Beloit's performance was headlined by several standout individual efforts. Providing a massive spark off the bench, Dae'Quan Davis (Chicago, Ill.) led the team with 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting. His ability to create shots kept Beloit within reach during critical stretches of the second half. A steadying force in the backcourt, Anthony Carter (Greenfield, Wis.) finished with 12 points and a team-high 3 steals. He was aggressive in attacking the basket, earning 10 trips to the free-throw line (converting 7). Thomas Glenn (Waukesha, Wis.) was a defensive titan in the paint. He recorded a staggering 5 blocks accounting for nearly all of Beloit's 8 total rejections. His rim protection forced Lake Forest to settle for difficult perimeter shots throughout the first half. Semaj Roy (Chicago, Ill.) did the dirty work on the glass, nearly recording a double-double with 9 points and a team-leading 9 rebounds (4 offensive).
The middle of the second half saw Lake Forest stretch their lead to as many as 12 points with 12:59 remaining. However, Beloit refused to go quietly. Triggering a 7-0 scoring run at the 10:29 mark, Beloit clawed back to make it a two-possession game, proving they could match the Foresters' offensive output.
Beloit's efficiency at the charity stripe was a highlight of the late-game push, as the team shot a collective 80% (16-20) from the free-throw line.
While Lake Forest's Cristian Rodriguez (28 points) proved difficult to contain, Beloit won several key statistical categories. The Buccaneers forced Lake Forest into a physical game, and their depth was evident as the second unit consistently provided more production than the Foresters' bench.
The Buccaneers continue their conference schedule grind on Saturday when the host Illinois College at Flood Arena. Tip off is set for 3 pm.
