"Dolphins Drown Dolphins in Upset Showdown"

In a surprising upset, Stonehill Skyhawks emerged victorious over Le Moyne Dolphins by a 9-point margin, claiming a 77-68 win at Merkert Gymnasium. The Skyhawks' triumph marked a significant upset, as they entered the matchup ranked #339 in NET, while the Dolphins were ranked #281. The game saw Stonehill dominate the first half, outscoring Le Moyne 32-24, before both teams battled evenly in the second half.

Stonehill's win was a testament to the team's ability to capitalize on its opponent's weaknesses, as they outscored the Dolphins by 13 points in the first half and by 1 point in the second half. Despite Le Moyne's strong performance, the Skyhawks' efficiency on both ends of the court proved to be the deciding factor, ultimately leading to their 9-point victory.

Davante Hackett's performance was a driving force behind Stonehill's victory, as he scored a game-high 30 points on 9-of-18 shooting from the field, including 1-of-7 from three-point range. He also contributed on the glass with six rebounds and displayed some defensive prowess with one block. Additionally, Hackett dished out two assists and made 11 of his 15 free throw attempts.

Chas Stinson and Hermann Koffi provided significant support to Hackett's efforts, with Stinson tallying 16 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Koffi added 12 points, including 2-of-7 from three-point range, and also chipped in with two assists and four rebounds. Stinson's efficiency from the field, shooting 6-of-13, was particularly noteworthy, as was his ability to convert at the free throw line, making 3-of-4 attempts.

Deng Garang's 20-point effort, complemented by eight rebounds, was a bright spot for Le Moyne, but ultimately fell short in the team's losing effort. His 3-of-7 mark from beyond the arc and 3-of-6 showing from the free throw line tempered his otherwise solid performance. While Garang's production was a positive for the Dolphins, it wasn't enough to swing the outcome in their favor.

Shilo Jackson's 17 points and six rebounds were also notable, but the senior forward's efficiency suffered from a 2-of-5 mark from the field and 5-of-7 showing from the line. His three blocks were a welcome addition, but ultimately couldn't compensate for Le Moyne's overall struggles. Meanwhile, Tennessee Rainwater's 12-point contribution was solid, but his limited impact on the glass and lack of playmaking (two assists) made his performance feel somewhat one-dimensional.

The supporting casts for both Stonehill and Le Moyne largely adhered to their established season averages, with few notable exceptions.

The pre-game prediction, which had Le Moyne taking a 7.2-point victory, proved to be wide off the mark as Stonehill ultimately emerged with a 9-point win. The discrepancy between the forecast and the actual outcome suggests that the model may have misjudged the relative strengths of these two teams on the day.

A closer examination of the in-game statistics reveals that Stonehill's uptick in efficiency, particularly on the glass, played a significant role in their triumph. The Skyhawks' OREB rate soared to 27.3%, a considerable increase from their season average, which allowed them to secure crucial second-chance opportunities and maintain possession. Meanwhile, Le Moyne's typically robust offense, which boasts a season-high eFG%, was hindered by Stonehill's effective defense, which held the Dolphins to a below-season-average eFG% of 48.1%.

The outcome of this game has significant implications for both teams' NCAA Tournament resumes. For Stonehill, this Quad 4 win does little to improve its overall profile, as it still lacks a victory over a higher-quality opponent. However, the Colonials' NET ranking has improved slightly, and they can now be considered a legitimate candidate for an automatic bid in their conference tournament. As a 10-19 team, Stonehill is unlikely to receive an at-large bid, and its seeding would likely be in the 12-13 range if it were to make the tournament. Conversely, Le Moyne's loss, despite being a Quad 4 game, has further solidified its position as a bubble team, and its NET ranking now puts it in the 13-16 range in seeding projections. Le Moyne's resume is still thin, and it will need to win in the Northeast-10 Conference tournament to have a chance at an at-large bid.