WEST HAVEN, Conn. – The Pace University men's basketball team came on strong in the final 10 minutes of Saturday's matchup at the University of New Haven, but the Setters were unable to overcome a late flurry by the Chargers, falling 61-59, in a Northeast-10 Conference matchup at Charger Gym. The Setters drop to 9-18 overall and 6-13 in NE-10 play with the loss, while New Haven improves to 8-17 on the year and 5-14 in NE-10 play.
Despite the loss, the Setters are still in the running for postseason contention in the NE-10's Southwest Division. They remain tied with Le Moyne College at 6-13 for the fifth spot in the division, but sit behind the Dolphins for the final postseason berth due to tiebreaker scenarios. The Setters will host Southern Connecticut State University, the top team in the NE-10 Conference, in their final regular season contest on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 7:30 p.m. at the Goldstein Fitness Center. Le Moyne will take on New Haven Tuesday evening as well.
After entering the second half in a 10-point hole, the Setters were trailing, 49-42, with just 7:17 to play. Sophomore guard
Bryan Rivers (West Windsor, NJ/Peddie School) then sank a layup to get Pace back within five. Rivers then stole the ball, and freshman forward
Ryan Peterson (Wethersfield, CT/St. Thomas More) made the Chargers pay with a big three to bring the Setters within two. After another stop, freshman forward
Luke McLaughlin (Blauvelt, NY/Tappan Zee) drew a foul, but made just the back end of his chances to leave Pace down by one.
The Setters then took their first lead since the first minute of the game when senior guard
Shelton Mickell (Queens, NY/Cardozo / Central Connecticut State) finished a layup to give the Setters a 50-49 edge with 4:59 to go. Junior forward
Austin Mofunanya (Englewood, NJ/Dwight Morrow / Lincoln College of NE) then came up with a steal, but Pace was unable to take advantage. Levy Gillespie made 1-of-2 free throws on the next possession to tie the game, but Mickell gave Pace the lead again with another layup. Mofunanya later drew a foul, but made just the first shot to put Pace on top, 53-50, with 2:51 to play.
New Haven's Tommy Hunt responded by tying the game with a clutch three-pointer. The Setters could not score on their next drive, and Samir McDaniels took advantage with another crucial three for the Chargers to give them a three-point lead. Mickell managed to make another layup to get Pace back within one, but McDaniels found a way to draw three free throws, and made them all to make it a four-point game.
Mickell drew a foul and made both chances to get back within two. The Setters stopped New Haven on the next possession, but were unable to tie with 40 seconds left. Hunt then went to the line and made both to once again make it a four-point game. Rivers scored with 10 seconds left to get Pace back within two, and the Setters lucked out when Hunt missed the front end of a one-and-one, giving Pace one final opportunity. Rivers found a way to create space for himself, but was not able to get his jumper to go, as the Setters fell by just two points in Saturday's contest.
Rivers led all scorers with 22 points in Saturday's matchup. Peterson narrowly missed a double-double with nine points and a career-high 12 rebounds. Mickell added 14 points and a team-leading three assists.
McDaniels scored 14 to lead the Chargers on Saturday, grabbing 10 boards as well for a double-double. Joshua Guddemi added 12 points, while Michael Bourke and Jemal Mosley each banked 11.
Tuesday is also Senior Day for the Pace men's and women's basketball teams. The seniors for each team will be honored in a ceremony prior to the start of their respective games. It is also Gold Rush Night, and the first 400 fans in attendance will receive a special "Gold Rush" t-shirt.
For all information regarding Pace University men's basketball log on to
www.PaceUAthletics.com and follow Pace men's basketball on Twitter (
@PaceMBB).
