WORCESTER, MA. – Coming into the postseason ranked as the #5 seed, No. 22 Pace men's basketball came away victorious against #4 Assumption behind a last-second make from
Tray Alexander. A buzzer-beating finish helps Pace earn a ticket into the Semifinals of the NE10 Conference Championships, where they face the #1 seed, Adelphi University.
Here's What Happened
- The Setters played solid throughout the first half to snag a ten-point advantage, 36-26, heading into the locker room. Points off turnovers tilted the tables in the opening half, as the Blue and Gold had 12 compared to Assumptions' zero.
- In half two, the Greyhounds slowly chipped away at Pace's lead with multiple small runs leading to a tight-knit conclusion. Neither side managed to pull away, and with under a minute left in the contest, the game was all square at 68.
- Assumption capitalized from long-range with under ten seconds to tie the game at 72 apiece. However, the Setters had enough time to draw up one final play to put the game into the books as a win.
- In the concluding seconds, Pace inbounded the ball to Alexander, who dribbled up into Greyhound territory. Seconds ticked down, and with a spin, dribble, and fadeaway opportunity, the senior found the back of the twine as time expired.
- Alexander delivered in the crucial moments of the game to keep the Setters' playoff run alive with a 74-72 victory on the road.
Box Score Insights
- Alexander finished the night with 20 points, six assists, four rebounds, and three steals.
- Darren Fergus tallied his career-high in a Setters uniform, posting 20 points and three steals.
- Jaden Kealey (10 points, 7 rebounds) and Trey Boyd III (9 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals) were the next highest scorers for the squad.
- As a team, the Setters knocked down 27 field goals compared to the Greyhounds' 20.
- Points in the paint made an immense difference, with Pace recording 44 compared to Assumption's 24.
Up Next (#1 Adelphi University NE10 Semifinals)
The Blue and Gold hit the court next on Wednesday against the number one seed of the Northeast-10, the Panthers of Adelphi University.
