The Dartmouth High boys basketball team faced its second loss of the season to Old Rochester on December 16.

Old Rochester concluded the first quarter with a 13-8 lead over Dartmouth. The Bulldogs held the game until the third quarter, when Dartmouth caught up and pulled ahead with a nine-point lead. However, the Bulldogs closed the gap and trailed the Indians 44-42 by the end of the quarter.

Old Rochester gained the upper hand in the final quarter, and although the Indians tied it up several times, they ultimately settled with a 62-58 loss.

Head coach Jeff Caron said the team’s offense had improved compared to the December 13 loss to Portsmouth (54-33), but it’s not enough.

“We really need to get more baskets,” Caron said. “You can’t beat too many teams bringing in 33 or 54 points. You need to score in the 60s to win games.”

Caron said his team is still recovering from the loss of high-scoring starters Matt Craig and Ben Holding, who both served in that role for three years. Caron said replacing them will take time.

“I don’t know who it’s going to be yet. It’s going to be whoever steps forward,” he said.

For now, Caron plans to improve the team's offensive abilities to hopefully bring in the team's first win. Dartmouth will face Sandwich on December 22.