SYRACUSE, N.Y. – On Wednesday night, Pace University Men's Basketball officially began its 2025-26 season preparations, turning in an impressive performance in an exhibition match-up against Syracuse University. Taking the floor against one of the premier programs in the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Setters showed poise throughout a 75-57 contest that featured multiple lead changes and long stretches of high-level execution.

From the opening tip, Pace demonstrated it was ready for the moment. The Setters traded baskets with the Orange through much of the first half, relying on disciplined half-court defense to limit Syracuse's interior presence. After falling behind early, Pace battled back with an 8-2 run that included a transition layup from Jaden Kealey and a corner three from Paxton Davidson to cut the deficit to one.

A few minutes later, Kealey's fast-break finish gave the Setters their first lead of the night, while Jabari Nurse's perimeter shooting helped maintain the pressure on the hosts. Behind a focused defensive effort, Pace held Syracuse to 42 percent shooting in the first half and forced eight turnovers, entering the break trailing narrowly, 29-27.

The Setters continued to compete fearlessly in the second half, opening the period with a pair of quick buckets from Nurse and Jayden James. However, the score would favor the home squad in the second half as the dynamic offense of Syracuse overmatched the Blue and Gold down the stretch.

Despite Syracuse's late second-half surge, Pace showed resilience throughout the closing minutes, holding its own in rebounding and defensive rotations against a bigger lineup. The Setters shot an efficient 46 percent from the floor, 33 percent from beyond the arc, and 70 percent at the free-throw line while winning the battle on the glass, 31-28.

Nurse led the Pace offense throughout the night, finishing with a game-high 20 points on 8-of-17 shooting, including two three-pointers and a perfect 2-for-2 mark from the line.

Davidson added 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists while controlling the tempo in the backcourt, and Kealey proved steady in the paint with nine points and six boards.

Ethan Robertson chipped in six points, including a three-pointer that gave Pace a brief second-half lead, and James filled the stat sheet with four points, four rebounds, two assists, and three steals.

Off the bench, Saif Saleh provided efficient minutes, going 2-for-2 from the field and knocking down a three to finish with five points.

Overall, the exhibition match-up offered valuable early-season experience for a Setters squad with championship aspirations in the Northeast 10 Conference.

The execution displayed against a Division I opponent set an encouraging tone for what lies ahead. Pace now looks to carry that momentum into its regular season opener on Friday, November 14 at 7:00 p.m., when the Setters host Molloy University inside the Goldstein Fitness & Recreation Center in Pleasantville, N.Y.