MEN'S BASKETBALL FALLS TO SAINT ROSE, 90-84
ALBANY, NY - The Pace University men's basketball team lost a tough Northeast-10 Conference battle to the Golden Knights of The College of Saint Rose, 90-84, tonight at the Daniel P. Nolan Gymnasium. Pace falls to an even 8-8 on the year, 7-4 in the NE-10, while St. Rose improves to 12-4 overall and 9-2 in conference play.
Led by their three seniors, Pace had four players score in double figures led by Ryan Williams' (Centreville, VA/Paul VI) team-high 25 points shooting 10-for-19 from the field, including 3-for-9 from three to go along with five rebounds. Williams connected on his 300th career three-pointer with his three tres tonight, becoming the first player in Pace University men's basketball history to do so. Classmate Desmond Quincy-Jones (Rye, NY/Rye) finished the game with 22 points and eight rebounds, on 9-for-11 shooting from the field, while Gibraltar White (Gautier, MS/Gautier) added 14 points going 6-for-12 from the field. Junior Randy Wilson (Peekskill, NY/Peekskill) chipped in with 10 points and sophomore Laurence McGhee (Linden, NJ/Linden) paced the Setters offense dishing out six assists to go along with nine points.
Will Monica led all scorers for St. Rose scoring a game-high 26 points shooting 11-for-20 from the field, including 3-for-10 from three. Steve Dagostino added 24 points going 6-for-12 from the field, including 3-for-7 from three and 9-for-10 from the charity stripe. Evan Lane recorded a double-double with 18 points and a game-high 16 rebounds, while Shanty Robinson also recorded a double-double scoring 12 points and dishing out a game-best 10 assists.
The first half featured a tight sea-saw battle that witnessed seven ties and 18 lead changes as neither team was able to build a substantial lead and separate themselves. Down by 4, 42-38, with 2:07 remaining in the half, the Setters would close the half on a 7-2 run to a one-point lead heading into the break, 45-44. Quincy-Jones keyed the run hitting a three pointer as well as the go ahead jumper.
Pace came out of the locker room hot beginning the second half on a 9-0 run to push their lead to double digits, 54-44. Williams scored the first four points on a pair of jumpers, while White capped the run with a three-pointer at the 18:06 mark. Quincy-Jones' jumper would later give Pace its largest lead of the game, 56-45, with 17:25 remaining in the game. The Golden Knights would quickly cut their deficit to four, 56-52, with a 7-0 run and continued their rally eventually taking the lead, 59-58, on a lay up by Lane at the 14:14 mark. St. Rose would hold on to their lead the rest of the way as Pace was only able to tie the game twice going down the stretch. The Setters tied the game at 64 (11:32) on a pair of free throws from Williams and again at 79 (2:20) on a lay up by Williams, but St. Rose would always answer back never relinquishing their lead as the Golden Knights hit their free throws in the final minutes taking the 90-84 victory.
Pace finished the game shooting 55.4% (36-for-65) from the floor, including 33.3% (7-for-21) from beyond the arc. The Setters went to the charity stripe just nine times for the game, converting five (55.6%). St. Rose finished the game shooting 48.5% (33-for-68), including 30.8% (8-for-26) from three. The Golden Knights went 16-for-19 (84.2%) from the line. St. Rose also won the battle of the glass 37-31.
With tonight's win, the Golden Knights sweep the season series against the Setters as St. Rose defeated Pace earlier this season, 84-77, back on December 4th in Pleasantville.
Pace will be back in action on Tuesday, January 22nd,
as the Setters will travel to Waltham, MA to take on the #1
nationally ranked and undefeated Falcons of Bentley College in a
Northeast-10 Conference match-up. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30
p.m.