QUEENS, N.Y. – Jaden Kealey delivered one of the strongest offensive performances of his Pace career on Wednesday night to lead the Pace University Men's Basketball to a 72-67 road victory over Queens College. The win moves Pace to 6-3 overall as they remain 1-1 in Northeast 10 Conference play.
Pace set the tone early by attacking the paint and playing with pace on both ends of the floor. Kealey was aggressive from the opening tip, scoring efficiently around the rim, while
Paxton Davidson controlled the flow of the offense and made his presence felt on the glass.
Jabari Nurse added early defensive pressure, helping the Setters generate transition opportunities and build momentum. Strong execution late in the half, particularly at the free-throw line, allowed Pace to take a 36-29 advantage into the break.
The second half proved to be a grind as Queens chipped away at the deficit and briefly grabbed the lead midway through the period. Pace responded with poise, leaning on defensive stops and timely baskets. Kealey sparked a key stretch with finishes in transition, while
Ethan Robertson and
Jayden James provided important contributions on both ends. Davidson knocked down a timely three-pointer to steady the offense, and Nurse continued to disrupt passing lanes as the Setters regained control.
Down the stretch, Pace closed the game with disciplined execution. Kealey continued to attack the basket, and the Setters made timely plays at the free-throw line while locking in defensively to secure the five-point road win, 72-67.
Kealey finished with a game-high 24 points, marking his third-highest scoring performance in a Pace uniform. His high-scoring input went alongside seven boards and a perfect 6-for-6 effort at the charity stripe.
Nurse added 14 points along with four steals and three blocks, while Davidson flirted with a triple-double, posting 13 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists.
The Setters will continue non-conference play later this week as Pace looks to build more momentum on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. versus the University of Bridgeport.
