KINGSTON, R.I. – Facing one of their toughest opponents of the season, the Pace University men's basketball team hung tough against Division I, University of Rhode Island, on Thursday night in an exhibition contest. The Setters cut the lead to just seven late in the second half before eventually succumbing to a tough URI squad by a final score of 80-65.

"I'm very proud of how we competed tonight," said head coach Matt Healing. "It's certainly encouraging for us to face a tough Atlantic-10 team on the road, and stay together and play tough for the full 40 minutes. Winning the second half of this game should give us the confidence to build even more momentum leading into our season opener on Nov. 10."

Down 17 at the break, the Setters clawed back in the early stages of the second half. Pace's deficit would get to as low as just five points following a Greg Poleon (Brooklyn, NY/Abraham Lincoln / Coffeyville CC) basket at the 14:57 mark. The Setters would then cut the Rhode Island lead to seven as late as 7:46 remaining in regulation. A three-pointer from junior Tyrone Cohen (Woodside, NY/Christ the King / Holy Cross University / Broward College) to trim the edge to 62-55 would be as close as Pace would get.

As a whole, the Blue and Gold outscored URI in the second half by a 38-36 margin. They also put together a 17-15 advantage in rebounds after halftime.

Junior Peyton Wejnert (Point Pleasant, NJ/Southern Regional) led the way with a game-high 21 points, while Poleon finished the night one rebound shy of a double-double (10 points). Wejnert was incredibly efficient, knocking in six of his 11 attempts from the field and 9-of-13 from the free-throw line.

Sophomore guards Austin Gilbertson (Etters, PA/Trinity) and Brandon Jacobs (Cambria Heights, NY/Long Island Lutheran) each chipped in seven points to round out the majority of Pace's attack.

The Blue and Gold's defense forced 11 turnovers in the contest, while allowing URI to shoot just 5-of-19 from three-point range (26.3 percent).

Up Next
The Setters will have two more tune-ups prior to officially beginning the 2018-19 season on Nov. 10 against Chestnut Hill College.