Hartford, Conn. – Freshman guard Jaquann Starks (Hartford, Conn.) scored a team-high 22 points, sinking four of six shots from long range and all six of his free throws, and added six boards to lead the visiting Trinity College Bantams to a 74-67 win over the Connecticut College Camels in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) men's basketball opener for both teams this evening. Trinity improves to 6-7, while the Camels drop to 5-7.

Trinity rookie forward Shay Ajayi (Brooklyn, N.Y.) scored field goals on consecutive possessions late in the second half to spark the visitors on a 7-0 run and give Trinity a 69-64 lead. Ajayi finished with 14 points before he fouled out of the game and was a perfect 5-for-5 from the field, while sophomore center George Papadeas (Athens, Greece) was 6-for-8 from the field en route to his 13-point output. Connecticut College junior Matt Vadas (Spring Lake Heights, N.J.) fought his way through numerous double teams to finish with 23 points and seven rebounds. Vadas was a perfect 10-for-10 at the charity stripe. Freshmen Bo Mckinley (Westport, N.Y.) and Jared Shill (Woodcliff Lake, N.J.) both finished with 12 points.

Vadas scored 11 first half points to vault the hosts out to a 35-27 advantage, but Trinity used a hoop and some harm from Mickel Simpson (Woburn, Mass.) to take a 53-47 lead with 9:24 remaining. With 4:14 remaining, Vadas dialed three from the left side to put the Camels back on top, 64-62. Ajayi answered on the ensuing possession with a hoop in the paint and one to put the Bantams back on top 65-64. Moments later, Ajayi converted with another hoop to make it a 67-64 contest and the visitors were able to pull away for the 71-64 triumph.