Anthony McComb III leads New Hampshire Wildcats with 20 points in recent defeat

On December 2, 2024, the University of New Hampshire Wildcats faced the Dartmouth Big Green in a college basketball match in Durham, New Hampshire. This match followed New Hampshire's last game, where they suffered an 83-61 loss to the Fordham Rams. Anthony McComb III stood out for the Wildcats, scoring 20 points in the disappointing defeat. New Hampshire's performance reflected inconsistencies, as they held a record of 2 wins and 9 losses before the game against Dartmouth, indicating a challenging season thus far. In their home games, the Wildcats had a slightly better record of 2-1, suggesting they perform better in familiar surroundings. Meanwhile, Dartmouth entered the match with a record of 3-3, displaying more balance during their season, even though they had gone 1-2 in their road games. They ranked third in the Ivy League with an average of 34.0 rebounds per game, highlighting their strength on the boards, led by Jackson Munro's average of 6.0 rebounds. The Big Green's overall scoring average was also notably higher than that of New Hampshire. Dartmouth averaged 80.5 points per game, compared to the Wildcats' 65.5 points per game, implying a significant difference in offensive production between the two teams. In terms of defensive play, New Hampshire had shown some capabilities, managing 24.2 defensive rebounds per game—enough to rank fourth in the America East conference. Sami Pissis led this effort for New Hampshire, averaging 3.9 defensive rebounds per game, while contributing an average of 11.8 points and 3.2 assists per game to the team's efforts. Despite the Wildcats' struggles this season, their home games have showcased a firmer defense, which they could potentially leverage against Dartmouth's attack. The upcoming game against Dartmouth presented an opportunity for New Hampshire to shift momentum in their favor. Both teams had contrasting scoring averages, which suggested that if the Wildcats could improve their offensive efficiency, they might be able to challenge Dartmouth effectively. Overall, the matchup promised to be crucial for both teams as they eyed positioning within their respective conferences, especially for New Hampshire, who sought to turn around a subpar season and build momentum through effective home court advantage.