DUDLEY, Mass. – The Curry College men's basketball team ended its 2021 road slate with an 81-69 loss at Nichols College on Friday night.

Curry freshman guard Asante Smith (Norfolk, Va.) scored 24 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out three assists to lead the Colonels. Classmate JayQuan Leonard (Plymouth, Mass.) contributed 19 points, six boards, two assists, and two steals while senior RJ Hadfield (Warwick, R.I.) knocked down 4-of-6 from distance en route to a 12-point performance.

Nichols freshman guard Matt Lasalandra (Smithfield, R.I.) scored 18 points to go along with three boards, three assists, and three steals. Junior Jason O'Regan (Charlton, Mass.) pitched in a double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds while senior Ferryton 'JoJo' Kpalie (Burlington, N.J.) also had a double-double of 13 points and 15 boards. Junior Jack Cowan (Bedford, Mass.) chipped in 11 points off the bench.

Nichols jumped out to a 7-0 lead, a spurt that was capped off by a Lasalandra jumper. The Bison extended their lead to as much as 16 and went into the halftime leading 43-31. Lasalandra and Smith led all scorers at the break with 12 each.

Curry rallied in the second stanza, slowly chipping away at the Bison lead before pulling within ten on a Smith jumper with 5:50 to go in the game. Nichols closed the game strong and distanced themselves from the Colonels for the 12-point victory.

The two teams will wrap up its home-and-home series on Saturday, March 27 at Katz Gymnasium at 1:00 p.m. Prior to the game, the team will honor its lone senior Hadfield in a special pregame ceremony.

Photo Credit - Kayla Connors 

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