PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Pace University Athletics is Massachusetts-bound this weekend, as the school's varsity athletic teams gear up for a trio of contests in The Bay State. The swimming and diving teams make their return to the pool following a month away from competition, while the men's and women's basketball teams continue conference play with a Northeast-10 Conference doubleheader.

Pace Swimming and Diving at Bentley University | Friday, 2 p.m. | Video
Competing for the first time since Dec. 9, the Setters kick off the backend of their 2017-18 schedule with a meet against NE10 opponent Bentley University.

The Blue and Gold wrapped up 2017 their last time out with strong showings in the exhibition meet against the United States Merchant Marine Academy and Sarah Lawrence College. The women's squad, which enters the weekend at 5-0 this season, looks to pick up where they left off at USMMA. Freshman Sophia Howard (Johnson City, NY/Maine Endwell) posted an NCAA-qualifying score of 266.5 in the one-meter dive, while junior Alexis Heiney (Ivoryton, Conn/Mercy) posted the top score of 261.38 in the three-meter diving event. Freshman Annabel Keppel-Palmer (Kent, England/Maidstone Grammar School) led the women's swimmers with two top-time finishes in the 100-fly and 500-free.

The men's squad, which holds a 2-3 record in non-tournament meets this season, was led by junior Daniel Galarza (Edison, NJ/John P. Stevens) in the exhibition meet. He posted the top mark in the 200-free and the second-fastest time in the 100-fly.

Bentley will be competing for the second time in four days, coming off a sweep by the men's and women's teams against Saint Michael's College on Tuesday. The Falcons' men's squad has won all six of their meets this season, while Bentley's women's team enters Friday's meet at 6-1.

Pace Women's Basketball at Assumption College | Saturday, 1:30 p.m. | Live Stats | Video
After a scoring a season-high 84 points earlier in the week, the Setters look to  make it two wins in a row as they take on NE10 foe Assumption College on Saturday. Pace is 9-7 this season and holds a 6-3 record in conference play.

The Blue and Gold picked up their first win of 2018 in convincing fashion, defeating Franklin Pierce, 84-54, on Wednesday night. Five Setters—Alexandra Monteleone (Cold Spring, NY/Haldane), Geena Rosalbo (Staten Island, NY/Curtis), Italee Brown-Smikle (Farmingdale, NY/Farmingdale), Jackie DelliSanti (Commack, NY/Commack), and Lauren Schetter (Beacon, NY/Beacon High School)—reached double figures offensively to lead the way. Monteleone led all scorers with 20 points, while Rosalbo matched her season best with 18 points and Brown-Smikle set a new career-high of 13 points. Defensively, Pace forced 24 turnovers and recorded 11 steals. Seven Setters registered a takeaway, with Rosalbo leading the team with four.

Assumption is 5-9 on the year and are 2-7 against the NE10. The Greyhounds have won their last two contests, most recently defeating St. Thomas Aquinas College on Wednesday, 72-60. Assumption has surrendered the second-fewest points per game in the conference, holding opponents to 57.2 points a contest.

Pace Men's Basketball at Assumption College | Saturday, 3:30 p.m. | Live Stats | Video
The Setters close out the doubleheader against Assumption with the men's team hitting the hardwood looking to get into the win column for the first time in the new year. Pace enters the weekend at 5-12 overall, and 1-8 in NE10 play.

The Blue and Gold were defeated by Franklin Pierce on Wednesday night by an 86-79 final. The offense was piloted by Greg Poleon (Brooklyn, NY/Abraham Lincoln / Coffeyville CC), Austin Gilbertson (Etters, PA/Trinity), Brandon Jacobs (Cambria Heights, NY/Long Island Lutheran) and Peyton Wejnert (Point Pleasant, NJ/Southern Regional) combining for 69 of Pace's 79 points. The freshman Gilbertson led the Setters with 19 points, with Poleon and Wejnert adding 17 apiece. Gilbertson has reached double figures offensively for five straight contests, while Poleon's effort marks his third straight game scoring 10 or more. With 16 points, Jacobs continues to lead Pace with 14.0 points per game. The freshman also posted a season-high six assists.

Assumption has played to a 5-10 record this season, going 1-8 in the conference. The Greyhounds have been playing well of late with wins in four of their last five games, most recently defeating the New York Institute of Technology, 84-75, on Wednesday. Despite their hot streak, Assumption remains 14^th in the NE10 in offense, scoring 68.0 points per game. The Setters and Greyhounds have split their last two meetings, with Assumption emerging victorious in last season's contest.

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