GAMBIER, Ohio - December 21, 2023 - Chatham Men's Basketball (7-5, 5-2) suffered an 82-79 overtime loss at Kenyon College (4-8, 2-1) on Thursday at Tomsich Arena. It was the Cougars' first overtime game since Jan. 24, 2018 at Westminster.

Senior guard Simon Boyer led the team in scoring with 22 points, including 15 in the first half. He added five rebounds and four assists in 42 minutes. Sophomore guard Diaun Pinkett recorded his fourth double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds and added a career-high eight steals. Senior forward Luca Robinson scored 17 points with two three-pointers and pulled down four boards. Junior guard Blaine Gartley contributed 14 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals.

The Cougars made their first seven field goals of the game to start on a 15-6 run, but the Owls fought back with a 15-7 run later in the half to cut the Chatham lead to just two after they had led by 10. However, the Cougars would close the half on an 18-6 run to lead 50-36 at halftime. Chatham had no problem getting to the rim in the first half, with 36 points in the paint, including eight each from Boyer, Gartley and Pinkett. 

In the second half, Kenyon used an extended 21-4 run to take a 57-54 lead with 7:42 to play as the Cougar offense went cold. The Owls held a five-point lead with just over three minutes left when Robinson made a layup and then converted on an and-one to bring the Cougars level. After a Kenyon layup, Pinkett earned another and-one and cashed in to give the Cougars a 68-67 lead with under a minute left. The Owls made one of two free throws on the ensuing possession and Robinson's three was off the mark at the buzzer as the game went to overtime tied at 68. The two teams traded blows in overtime until the Owls earned a five-point lead with just 30 seconds left. Chatham battled back to cut the lead to one but could not complete the comeback.

It was a tale of two halves for the Chatham offense, as they shot 62.2% (23-37) from the field in the first half and just 21.9% (7-32) in the second half. The Cougars forced 22 turnovers and only committed 10, but made just six free throws to the Owls' 18. Chatham's 81 shot attempts are a new program high.

Men's Basketball will return on New Year's Eve when they visit the Allegheny Gators for a rematch of last season's PAC Championship game.