The Bods have struggled to win close games in the MIAA this season, and now they have another loss to add to the list.

Starting point guard Mario Scott, who averaged 8.5 points and 4.7 assists per game, was ruled academically ineligible for the remainder of the season.

The ruling comes as a result of confusion with Scott’s grade requirement following the fall semester. By taking intersession classes and receiving the required grades, the team was under the impression Scott was eligible to play.

After sitting out two games during the Ichabods’ trip to Hawaii, Scott returned to play the next seven games before receiving final approval from the NCAA. The team went just 3-4 after Scott’s return, but the loss that may hurt the team most is Scott’s ineligibility.

“Mario was very unselfish and a true point guard,” said senior guard DeAndre Eggins. “Mentally I don’t think it will affect the team but we’ll feel his loss as we try to fill his role.”

In Saturday’s loss at Nebraska-Omaha, forward Logan Stutz moved into the starting lineup for the first time and guards James Williams and Covier Carter split time filling Scott’s position.

“We’re pretty confident in the guards we have now,” said sophomore Garrett Love. “Mario’s a good player but we have some depth at the guard position so I wouldn’t expect a drop off.”

Carter joined the team in December after sitting out a semester as a transfer, while Williams is a veteran on the team and has started all but one game this season alongside Scott in the backcourt.

“We might have to make some lineup changes, but it shouldn’t hurt us much,” said Love. “Covier has been here a while now and obvisouly James has experience so we still have a chance to make a run at the end of the season.”