PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Despite trailing by double digits in the second half, the Pace University men's basketball team pulled out a 78-73 win over Southern Connecticut State on Saturday afternoon. The comeback triumph pushes the Setters' overall record to 16-8 this season (8-8, NE10).
With Pace down by 11 almost mid-way through the second half, it was a 19-7 run that flipped the momentum.
A three-pointer by
Jabari Nurse (Randolph, Mass./New Hampton Prep) put the Setters ahead for the first time in the second half at 67-66 with 3:36 remaining. Pace then received another long ball from
Brandon Powell (Middletown, N.Y./Pine Bush / FDU) that broke a 71-71 tie with less than a minute remaining.
The Blue and Gold were able to ice the game away with a steal and free throws following Powell's long ball, and then a breakaway dunk from
Bryan Powell (Middletown, N.Y./Canterbury School) with just seconds on the clock.
Individually, it was
Brandon Powell (Middletown, N.Y./Pine Bush / FDU) leading the way with one of his best games as a Setter. The Orange County native racked up a career-high 26 points to go along with a team-high seven rebounds.
Another three members of the Pace squad joined Powell in double figures.
Bryan Powell (Middletown, N.Y./Canterbury School) recorded 15 points and a team-high four assists, while
Lyron Bennett (Boston, Mass./Tech Boston / Southern Connecticut State) and
Marc Dadika (Saddle Brook, N.J./Saint Mary's Rutherford / FDU) added 14 and 10 points respectively.
Collectively, the Setters knocked in a season-best 12 three-pointers on 25 attempts (48.0%). The home squad split its dozen long balls with six in each half.
Pace's accurate shooting also consisted of a 22-of-24 effort from the free-throw line—which is both the most makes and highest percentage (91.7%) of the season.
UP NEXT
The Setters will play at Bentley next Saturday at 3:30 p.m.