GARDEN CITY, N.Y. – Pace University Men's Basketball went toe-to-toe with Adelphi University on Tuesday night in a tightly contested Northeast 10 match-up, but a late three-pointer proved to be the difference in a 56-53 setback. The Setters slipped to 8-6 overall and 3-3 in conference play after a game that featured 12 ties and 17 lead changes and remained undecided until the final seconds at the Center for Recreation and Sport.
The opening half unfolded as a back-and-forth battle from the opening tip.
Jabari Nurse opened the scoring with a jumper, and Pace quickly settled into a defensive rhythm, forcing early turnovers.
Nathan Robertson provided an early spark in transition, while
Paxton Davidson and
Saif Saleh added timely baskets as the Setters traded small runs with the Panthers. Pace used late first-half execution to gain separation, closing the half on a 7-0 stretch capped by back-to-back three-pointers from
Ethan Robertson and
David Dix to take a 29-26 lead into halftime.
Adelphi answered coming out of the break, reclaiming the lead early in the second half, but Pace continued to respond. A Nurse three-pointer tied the game at 34-34, and
Jaden Kealey attacked the paint to keep the Setters within one possession. The game continued to swing possession by possession, with neither side able to create separation.
Pace briefly regained control midway through the half. Davidson finished inside to give the Setters a 49-48 edge, and Kealey followed with a strong jumper in the lane to push the lead to 51-48 with just under six minutes remaining. The Panthers answered once again, retaking the lead before
David Dix converted inside to put Pace back in front, 53-52, with 3:27 left.
The final minutes proved decisive. Adelphi tied the game at the free-throw line and then connected on a three-pointer with two seconds remaining to take a 56-53 lead. Pace had one final look at the buzzer, but the attempt fell short as time expired with the final score favoring the Panthers.
Kealey led Pace with 13 points and nine rebounds, while Robertson added an efficient 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting. Nurse chipped in 10 points, and Saleh contributed seven points and five rebounds. Pace shot 38.5 percent from the field and forced 15 turnovers, keeping the game within reach throughout.
The Blue and Gold will look to bounce back this weekend as the Setters welcome Saint Michael's College for Alumni Day on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
