The Nipmuc Warriors split a pair of competitive games, edging Bellingham before coming up short at Sutton in back-to-back matchups this week. Against the Blackhawks, Nipmuc eked out a 46-41 win in a game that tightened up late. James Antonio led the Warriors with a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double, while Grady O’Neil added eight points. Nipmuc’s ability to outscore Bellingham 25-21 in the second half proved decisive.
The rhythm did not fully carry into the next night’s game at Sutton, where the Sammies, riding a three-game winning streak, held on for a 47-39 victory. Nipmuc stayed in the hunt at halftime, trailing narrowly 18-16, but Sutton pulled away in the second half by outscoring the Warriors 29-23. Eben Consigli paced Nipmuc with 14 points, and Antonio chipped in 11, but the Sammies’ balance was enough to close the door.
Nipmuc now shifts focus to Bartlett on Friday at 6:30 p.m., a matchup that should give the Warriors an opportunity to regroup and get back into the win column. The team will aim to tighten late-game defense and convert more second-half possessions into points.
