CHESTERTOWN, MD. - The Sarah Lawrence men's basketball team kicked off the 2025-26 season with the Washington College Academic Classic, taking on Immaculata on Saturday before a Sunday matchup against Bard College. The Gryphons fell to the Mighty Macs on Saturday before taking down Bard College on Sunday, returning to Bronxville with a 1-1 record.
Notable Performers
How it Happened
Against Immaculata, the Gryphons fell behind early thanks to an offensive outburst from the Mighty Macs. A 7-0 run to start the game turned into a 13-point advantage midway through the first half, despite scores from Matonti, Dougherty, Burman and
Dean Furlong. An 8-0 run by the Gryphons would close the gap to seven points with just over five minutes to play, but a 25-3 run by Immaculata to end out the half would erase any SLC momentum and put the Mighty Macs in the driver's seat. The Gryphons would outscore their opponents in the second half, as Morel connection on four shots from deep and Flaim added a pair of long-range strikes, scoring 10 total points in his SLC debut.
Thomas Matonti added two more triples as the Gryphons went 8-18 from deep in the second half, but Immaculata kept up as they connected on nine triples of their own to stay ahead.
On Sunday, the Gryphons and Raptors battled in what was a back-and-forth affair early on. The Raptors took a 13-11 lead before an 11-0 run propelled the Gryphons to an early advantage. Morel, Kim and Matonti all connected from deep to start the run before a pair of makes at the free-throw line by Kim put SLC up 22-13 just over halfway through the first period. A Bard score would stop the bleeding, but Morel would answer with another triple after a block by Dougherty to keep the Gryphons in control. Scores by Burman and
Derek Hickman kept the Gryphons going before another pair of long-range connections by Morel and Kim put SLC up by 16. The Raptors made a small dent in the final two minutes, but the damage had already been done and SLC took a 13-point lead into the intermission. The Raptors wasted no time in the second half, opening the period with a 5-0 and cutting the lead to single-digits. The Gryphons immediately answered with an 11-point run capped by Flaim's first collegiate score thanks to an assist by Burman. Despite the 19-point advantage, the Raptors once again battled back, this time getting within six points with ten minutes to play. Kim scored inside to break the streak, but scores by Burman, Hickman and Morel would keep the Gryphons up by two or more possessions throughout the remainder of the contest.
Up Next
The Gryphons 1-1, will play their 2025-26 home opener on Saturday as they wrap up an eventful day of Homecoming festivities at the Campbell Sports Center. The Gryphons will play Oberlin College at 8:00 p.m. as they look to start their home slate with a victory.
