The Big Green men’s basketball team opened the season with a record of 2-0 for the first time since the 2019-20 season.
The squad stunned 129-47 in the home opener against Vermont State University Lyndon on Nov. 4 and kept the momentum through the end of the week, taking down Sacred Heart University 81-76 on Nov. 8.
At the Nov. 4 home opener, Cade Haskins ’25 became the first Big Green player to put up 30 or more points in a single game since Dame Adelkun ’23 threw up 41 points versus Columbia University in January 2023.
The Big Green sank 20 three-point shots, two shots away from meeting the program’s record of 22 team three-pointers in a single game.
The squad ultimately won 129-47, breaking the program’s previous record of 121 for points scored in a single game.
Late into the second half, guard Niko Abusara ’27 pounced on the loose ball, looked up the court and found guard Kareem Thomas ’28, who three-stepped before dunking the ball to put Dartmouth up 102-34 over the Lyndon Hornets with seven minutes and 13 seconds remaining.
Captain guard Romeo Myrthil ’25 said he was excited to see the team’s chemistry and dedication on display.
“I’m proud of the guys who’ve been working a long time now,” Myrthil said. “It’s been almost two months here working for this, so we’re happy to get the season started this way.”
Haskins dropped eight points in the first minute and 17 seconds of the match-up and remained on a scoring streak through the remainder of the game, throwing down a career-high 32 points.
“The first one bounced in, which just let me feel confident, knowing that I was going to be okay,” Haskins said. “You always want to see the first one go in, and once it does, a lot more confidence starts flowing in.”
In the fourth all-time matchup between the Lyndon Hornets and Big Green, each member of the squad got playing time, including all four first-year players.
Point guard Connor Amudsen ’28 put up three back-to-back three-pointers in the span of two-and-a-half minutes in the first half of the game.
“I get a lot of confidence from putting in that work for so long, knowing that everyone here has faith in me and that they have all put their confidence into me too,” Amudsen said. “So I was just trying to get out there and do what I knew I could.”
The Big Green ended the first half with 10 unanswered points, putting them ahead 62-17.
Dartmouth finished eighth in the 2024-25 Ivy League preseason poll after finishing the 2023-24 season with a record of 6-11 overall and 2-12 in conference. Last season began with a 92-54 loss against the Duke University Blue Devils.
“Last year we kind of got hit in the mouth in the first game,” Myrhtil said. “So it’s good to come out with some confidence and to keep building on that for the games coming up. I’m very excited about that.”
Mythril averaged two rebounds a game during the 2023-24 season but opened the 2024-25 campaign on a high note, finishing the first game with seven rebounds.
Big Green head coach David McLaughlin entered his ninth year coaching the team with a slew of goals for the upcoming season.
“We want to be a disciplined group,” McLaughlin said. “A group that executes, a group that communicates and a group that is tough.”
The team totaled 32 assists during the game.
“The shots were coming within our offense, which is why we had so many assisted baskets tonight,” McLaughlin said. “I thought we executed at a really high level.”
Taking on Sacred Heart University later in the week on Nov. 8, Dartmouth came out on top, winning 81-76.
Dartmouth entered the match-up with a 1-2 overall record against the Sacred Heart Pioneers, going 1-0 in Hanover and 0-2 on the road.
The Big Green scored 17 points from free throws in the first half and 22 points from free-throws in the second half.
Haskins led the game’s scoring with 20 points, followed closely by forward Jackson Munro ’26 with 19.
The Big Green returns to Leede Arena on Nov. 13 at 5 p.m. to host the University of Albany. Dartmouth has an overall record of 5-6 against the Albany Great Danes.
“It’s always good to play at home, where we practice,” Haskins said. “So I’m really excited to really get the season started.”
