MANCHESTER, N.H. – Playing a conference game for the first time in over a month, the Pace University men's basketball team dropped a dramatic 79-78 contest at Saint Anselm College on Saturday. The narrow defeat moves the Setters' record to 8-4 overall this season, including a 4-1 mark in the NE10.

With Pace leading 78-76 with 0.5 remaining in the game, Saint Anselm's Miles Tention knocked down a three-pointer as time expired to clinch the win.

The Setters held a two-point edge following a layup from Brandon Powell (Middletown, N.Y./Pine Bush) with nine seconds on the clock, a subsequent steal, and then a free throw from Austin Gilbertson (Etters, Pa./Trinity).

Bryan Powell (Middletown, N.Y./Canterbury School) led the Setters' offense on Saturday. The junior tallied a game-high 26 points and 11 rebounds to secure his seventh career double-double. He also added three assists, one block and one steal.

Dominick Cristiano (Valhalla, N.Y./Kennedy Catholic/Greens Farm Academy) and Gilbertson joined Powell in double figures. Cristiano finished with 15 points and six rebounds, while Gilbertson chipped in 11 points, five assists and three steals.

Freshman Matt Constant (Laconia, N.H./St. Andrew's School (RI)) matched Gilbertson's three steals, in addition to recording seven points.

Down by as many as 10 points in the second half, the Setters hung tough. Pace's final 20 minutes included a 19-for-33 (57.6%) effort from the field.

Up Next
The Setters will play their first home game in 41 days when they host Assumption University on Tuesday night.