WALTHAM, Mass. – Playing in their first NCAA East Regional since 2007, the Pace University men's basketball team (20-9) posted a 77-64 win over fourth-seeded Dominican College on Saturday night.
 
The fifth-seeded Setters' first NCAA win since 2002 advances them to the Regional semifinals where they will face top-seeded Bentley on Sunday night.
 
Down by one at the break, Pace stormed out of the locker room. The Setters rattled off a 27-8 run over the first 7:49 of the second half.
 
All in all, Pace led by as many as 20 points in the second half while shooting a red-hot 16-of-22 from the field (73%).
 
The Powell brothers were once again at the forefront of the Setters' triumph. The duo combined for 43 points as Pace's top-two scorers on the night.
 
Brandon Powell (Middletown, N.Y./Pine Bush) was especially impressive with a stat line of 24 points (season high), nine rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Bryan Powell (Middletown, N.Y./Canterbury School) followed with 19 points and three assists.
 
Marc Dadika (Saddle Brook, N.J./Saint Mary's Rutherford) was the Setters' third double-figure scorer with 12 points, to go along with eight rebounds.  
 
Graduate guards Austin Gilbertson (Etters, Pa./Trinity) (six points) and Brandon Jacobs (Cambria Heights, N.Y./Long Island Lutheran) (eight points) rounded out a Pace starting five that combined for nearly 90 percent of the team's scoring.
 
The Blue and Gold's defense forced Dominican into one of its worst offensive games of the season. The Chargers shot just 23-of-61 from field (38%), including 5-for-17 from long range (29%).
 
Up Next
The Setters will battle nationally-ranked Bentley (No. 14) on Sunday night in the NCAA Regional semifinals. Pace was defeated by the Falcons, 85-73, in Waltham on Jan. 15.