OBERLIN, Ohio – Behind a poised closing stretch and a late dagger from first-year Jack Corrigan Conaty, the Kenyon College men's basketball team earned a North Coast Athletic Conference road victory on Wednesday night, defeating Oberlin College, 78-72. The win lifted the Owls to 9-8 overall and 3-5 in NCAC play while Oberlin dropped to 9-8 overall and 2-6 in conference play.
Kenyon shot an efficient 28-for-55 (50.9%) from the field and converted 10-of-11 (90.9%) free throws, its best mark from the charity stripe this season. Oberlin finished 25-for-51 (49.0%) from the floor and 5-for-11 (45.5%) from three-point range.
Kenyon struck first and controlled much of the opening half. Corrigan Conaty finished a fastbreak layup and assisted on a Langston Foster three as the Owls jumped out to a 5-0 lead inside the first two minutes. The teams traded runs throughout the period, with Kenyon regaining momentum late behind a three from Foster and sophomore Jackson Burke. Foster then capped the half with a driving layup to send Kenyon into the break up 38-35.
The Owls came out of halftime with relentless energy, quickly stretching the lead to double digits. Sophomore Marius Mazeika scored inside and followed with a three, while Corrigan Conaty knocked down two free throws and assisted on another Mazeika triple as Kenyon built a 45-35 cushion.
Oberlin refused to go away, chipping away behind interior scoring and free throws to cut the deficit to single digits in the final minutes. With just over a minute to play, the Yeomen closed within 72-70, setting up a tense finish.
On the ensuing possession, First-year Nicholas Graves was fouled and went to the line, converting the first free throw before missing the second. Oberlin tipped the rebound out of bounds, giving Kenyon a fresh possession. As the shot clock wound down, Graves isolated from the top of the key, drove into traffic, and calmly slipped an underhanded layup beneath the defender's arm to push the lead to 75-70 with 45 seconds remaining.
The Yeomen answered with a fadeaway jumper to make it 75-72, but Kenyon delivered the final blow on its next trip. Graves drained the clock before attacking and kicking the ball out to Corrigan Conaty on the right wing. With just two seconds left on the shot clock, Conaty caught and fired in rhythm, drilling the sealing three-pointer to make it 78-72. Oberlin's final attempt missed, and the Owls closed out the road win.
Corrigan Conaty led Kenyon with 18 points, shooting 7-for-13 (53.8 percent) from the field and adding two assists, a steal, and a block while logging a game-high 31 minutes. Returning from injury, Foster followed with 17 points, hitting 6-for-14 (42.9 percent) from the field and adding two steals. First-year Will McDonald tied his career high with 12 points, knocking down three triples and going a perfect 3-for-3 at the line. Burke and Mazeika each scored 10 points, while Graves added nine points, including the decisive late bucket and assist on the final three.
Up next, a trip back home to continue conference play, as the Owls host DePauw University on Saturday, January 24. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m.
