PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Pace University Men's Basketball delivered another clutch finish Tuesday night, as Paxton Davidson buried a go-ahead three-pointer with 16 seconds remaining to lift the Setters past Adelphi University, 55–53, in a tightly contested Northeast 10 matchup inside the Goldstein Fitness Center. The victory moves Pace to 15–8 overall and 10–5 in Northeast 10 play and extends the Setters' winning streak to four straight games.
Pace established control early with defense and ball movement. Saif Saleh scored inside to tie the game at 2–2 before Jabari Nurse finished through contact to give Pace a 4–2 edge. Ben Manuel knocked down a three to stretch the lead to 7–4, and Ethan Robertson followed with a corner triple that pushed the margin to 12–4. Nurse continued to attack the rim, converting a layup and two free throws to make it 18–8. Adelphi chipped away late, but Nurse's jumper sent the Setters into halftime ahead 27–22.
The second half turned into a grind. Manuel scored on a putback to make it 31–27, and Nurse added another finish to keep Pace in front 33–29. Adelphi responded with a run to seize a 41–37 lead and later built a 51–40 advantage with just over six minutes left.
Pace answered immediately. Nurse drove for a layup to cut it to 51–42, David Dix buried a three to make it 51–45, and Manuel finished inside to trim the deficit to 53–49. Jaden Kealey powered in a basket with 1:20 remaining to pull Pace within 53–51, and Nurse split a pair at the line to make it 53–52.
After a defensive stop, Dix swung the ball to Davidson on the right wing. Davidson rose and drilled the go-ahead three to give Pace a 55–53 lead with 16 seconds left. The Setters forced one final miss and secured the rebound to seal the win.
Nurse led Pace with 15 points, five assists, and four steals. Manuel added 11 points, Kealey controlled the glass, and Davidson finished with five points, highlighted by the game-winner. Pace forced 17 turnovers and scored 23 points off those opportunities.
The Setters head back on the road Saturday to face Saint Michael's College at 3:30 p.m.
