Box Score MADISON, N.J. (November 19, 2013) – The Drew University men's basketball team (2-1) emerged victorious this evening with an 86-76 win over previously unbeaten, Bard College (2-1) in Baldwin Gym. Sophomore Mike Klinger (Franklin Park, N.J./Rutgers Prep) had a team-high 26 points in the Rangers home opener.

Klinger was over 20 points for the second-straight game and sunk 14-of-16 from the free throw line. He added seven rebounds and dished off a game-high six assists. The Rangers had four of their five starters in double figures, with Chris Capelli (Manasquan, N.J./Manasquan) and Jason Huelbig (Middletown, N.J./Middletown North) each going for 16 points apiece. Sophomore Kevin-Michael Miller (Rockaway, N.J./Morris Knolls) was 6-of-7 from the floor, totaling 13 points and a game-high three blocks.

Last week's Liberty Conference Player of the Week, Lamar Powell, had a career-high 29 points in the contest to lead the Raptors. He was 11-of-16 from the floor and 6-of-9 from the charity stripe.

The back and forth first half saw a total of seven lead changes. The Rangers didn't take their final lead until a buzzer-beating, 3-pointer by Bob Falconiero (Moorestown, N.J./Bishop Eustace) to end the half. The balanced Drew scoring attack had three players with seven or more points over the first 20 minutes. Powell did much of his damage in the first half, netting 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting. Capelli led the way for the Rangers with nine points, aiding the Rangers to a 39-37 advantage at the half.

Bard came out firing in the opening minutes of the second frame, scoring the first eight points. The Raptors held their largest lead of the contest with 17:25 to play when Garrett Clifton nailed a 3-pointer, to give the visitors a 45-39 edge.

The Rangers responded with an 11-0 run, capped by a Huelbig jumper with 14:06 to play. During the run, senior John Ford (Holbrook, N.Y./Sachem North) gave the Rangers the lead for good, hitting a three to put the Rangers up 46-45. After two Bard free throws, Drew scored 20 of the next 27 points to open up a 70-54 lead with 6:05 remaining, its largest lead of the contest.

Klinger and the Rangers iced the game down the stretch from the free throw line. The sophomore had 12 of his 14 made free throws fall in the second half. For the game, the Rangers were 21-of-26 from the foul line.

Miller led the Rangers on the glass, pulling down a game-high nine rebound while Capelli grabbed eight in the contest. Drew held a 47-38 advantage in rebounding and scored 14 points on second chance opportunities.

Drew will have a week to prepare for King's (Pa.) next Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in Baldwin Gym. The game will be the nightcap of a women's/men's doubleheader.