COLCHESTER, VT. – Pace University Men's Basketball built an early advantage, absorbed a second-half surge, and created separation in the final minutes to earn a 77–68 Northeast 10 road victory over Saint Michael's College on Saturday afternoon. Pace led by seven at halftime and never allowed the hosts to reclaim control after the break. The victory at the Ross Sports Center improves the Setters to 16–8 overall and 11–5 in Northeast 10 play.

Pace established its presence immediately. Jaden Kealey scored on the opening possession to give the Setters a 2–0 lead, and David Dix followed with a three-pointer that pushed the margin to 7–2. Jabari Nurse attacked downhill to extend the advantage to 12–4 midway through the first half, forcing Saint Michael's to respond.

The Purple Knights chipped away and trimmed the deficit to 18–16, but Pace answered with consecutive finishes from Saif Saleh to move back in front by six. Nurse knocked down a three to stretch the lead to 28–23, and Ben Manuel added a late basket that helped Pace carry a 39–32 edge into halftime.

Saint Michael's opened the second half with urgency, cutting the margin to 44–41 early in the period. Paxton Davidson responded with a driving layup to make it 46–41, and Kealey followed with a putback that pushed the lead back to seven. When the hosts narrowed the gap again to 52–49, Ethan Robertson buried a three to extend the advantage to 55–49.

Dix delivered a pivotal moment with 5:16 remaining, drilling a three-pointer that turned a four-point game into a 60–53 lead. Nurse followed with another triple to make it 63–57, and Kealey's fast-break dunk stretched the margin to 70–62 with just over two minutes left. Pace sealed the win at the free-throw line, maintaining at least a two-possession cushion in the final minute to secure the 77–68 result.

Nurse led the Setters with 23 points and five assists, while Kealey added 17 points and eight rebounds. Dix contributed 11 points on three three-pointers, and Davidson chipped in nine points and six assists as Pace shot over 50 percent from the field and controlled the paint throughout.

Next in store for the Setters is a road meeting against the Falcons of Bentley University set for Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. from Waltham, MA.