PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Tipping off the 2018-19 season, the Pace University men's basketball team was defeated by Chestnut Hill on the first night of the 2018 Conference Challenge, 87-77.

The Setters were led by Peyton Wejnert (Point Pleasant, NJ/Southern Regional), who posted a double-double to begin his junior campaign. Wejnert had a team-high 10 boards, six on the offensive end, to go along with 20 points. Greg Poleon (Brooklyn, NY/Abraham Lincoln / Coffeyville CC) led the Blue and Gold on offense with a 21-point night to start his senior year. Poleon put together an efficient 10-for-14 effort from the floor.

Austin Gilbertson (Etters, PA/Trinity) also reached double figures offensively, recording 10 points. Gilbertson and Martin Mann (Wakefield, RI/Lawrence Academy) added six rebounds apiece to Pace's total, helping the Setters win the battle of the boards against the Griffins, 45-40.

Gilbertson and Tyrone Cohen, Jr. (Woodside, NY/Christ the King / Holy Cross University / Broward College) had three steals each, while Ray Montilus (Union, NJ/Pope John XXII) recorded two of Pace's three blocks on the night.

Pace was able to take a 32-28 lead into the half as the duo of Poleon and Wejnert combined for 23  points at the break. The Setters' defense held Chestnut Hill's shooters in check in the opening 20 minutes, limiting the Griffins to just 2-for-11 from beyond the arc. Pace led by as much as 12 in the first half.

Chestnut Hill was able to find a rhythm in the second half, shooting 71.4 percent from the field. The Griffins knocked in five of their seven second-half three-point attempts while also going 14-for-18 from the free-throw line. The Griffins secured the lead with just over 12 minutes left to play and never looked back. Pace managed to pull within one with 6:43 left on the clock, but an 8-2 run for the Griffins pulled Chestnut Hill away.

Up Next
The Setters are back in action tomorrow as the Conference Challenge draws to a close. Pace will take on Queens College at 4 p.m.