Men’s Basketball’s Falls Short vs. SJC-Brooklyn

Patchogue, NY| Despite a late-game push, the St. Joseph's College (L.I.) men's basketball team was defeated, 67-63, by Skyline Conference rival St. Joseph's College (Brkln) inside the Danzi Center on Saturday afternoon.

The loss sends the Golden Eagles to 2-6 overall on the year and 1-4 in Skyline play. The Bears improved to 2-8 (2-5 Skyline) overall.

SJC was paced by junior Frank Basile, who posted game-high totals in points (23) and rebounds (16).

Senior Mike Harris scored 21 points and grabbed six boards, and junior Brad Weiss went for 11 points, seven rebounds and a game-best five blocks.

The Bears scored four players in double-digits including Frank Reali, who tallied 22 points on 8-for-14 shooting from the field.

Tight through the first, the teams played to a 26-26 tie with 3:50 left to play in the half, but it was the Bears that used a 10-2 run across the remaining few minutes to take a 36-28 lead into the break.

The Golden Eagles chipped away at SJC-Brooklyn's lead through the second half and tied the game at 63 with 1:28 left in regulation when Basile drained a pair of free throws.

The Bears went back up three points with the next possession (66-63) and afforded the Golden Eagles a chance to tie the game with under 30 seconds to play, but the hosts squandered the opportunity and succumbed to an eventual 67-63 defeat.

Shooting struggles doomed SJC but the Golden Eagles held advantages in total rebounds (49-35) and second-chance points (17-8).

The Golden Eagles return to action on Sunday, December 30 when they host William Paterson University for a non-conference contest at 1:00 pm.