PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – On Saturday afternoon, Pace University Men's Basketball jumped out early, answered every Saint Anselm rally, and knocked down late free throws to secure a 69–66 Northeast 10 victory over RV Saint Anselm College, the top team in the conference standings. The win inside the Goldstein Fitness Center moves the Setters to 14–8 overall and 9–5 in Northeast 10 play and extends their streak to three straight victories.
Pace established control immediately. Paxton Davidson scored on the opening possession, Jabari Nurse tipped in a second-chance bucket, and Ben Manuel finished inside to build a quick 6–0 lead. Davidson found Manuel again for a layup to make it 10–2, and Nurse drilled a three-pointer as the margin grew to 13–3 midway through the half. Jaden Kealey powered through the paint for consecutive baskets, stretching the lead to 20–7 before Saint Anselm chipped away. David Dix buried a late three with under a minute left to send Pace into halftime ahead 31–29.
Saint Anselm tightened the game early in the second half, tying the score at 31–31 and briefly moving ahead 35–33. Kealey answered with back-to-back finishes inside to reclaim a 37–35 edge, and Manuel converted a put-back to keep Pace within 41–38. Davidson steadied the offense with two mid-range jumpers, then buried a go-ahead three with 9:38 remaining to give the Setters a 50–48 lead. He followed with another triple on the next possession, pushing the advantage to 53–48.
Nurse added a transition three to extend the margin to 58–51, and Kealey converted at the line to make it 60–54. Saint Anselm cut the deficit to one possession twice late, including 67–64 in the final seconds, but Dix and Davidson calmly knocked down free throws to seal the 69–66 win.
Kealey led Pace with 20 points and nine rebounds on 8-of-10 shooting. Davidson added 17 points and seven assists, while Manuel chipped in 11 points. Nurse contributed 10 points and five assists as the Setters shot nearly 52 percent from the field and controlled the paint with 38 interior points.
The Setters return to the Goldstein Fitness Center on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. to host Adelphi University for the program's Play for Kay, Pace Goes Pink, and Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day.
