This week was an eventful one for Pace Men’s Basketball. The team picked up two wins versus NE-10 teams. They will remain in contention for hosting a Playoff Game.
In both this week were huge accomplishments for a couple of the top players for the team. Bryan Powell, Graduate Student Forward dropped a career-high 40 points vs Franklin Pierce on February 10. They were the most since his twin brother Brandon Powell scored 44 last year, also vs Franklin Pierce. On Wednesday, February 14 versus Assumption, point guard Tray Alexander recorded the school’s first triple-double.
The offense seemed to come easier in both games. Versus Franklin Pierce, Pace scored 49 points in the second half. While it got close late in the second half, Pace would end up victorious. The final score was 93-80. The Setters went over 80 points for the sixth time. They previously got 82, but lost by one to Saint Michael’s College at home on February 3. This victory ended a four-game losing streak. The win also meant an advantage over Franklin Pierce should it come down to a tiebreaker. The Setters beat the Ravens in a close, 67-66 score affair on January 3. That game coincidentally also ended a losing streak.
Included in Powell’s 40 points were 2 three-pointers. He recorded 9 rebounds, one short of 10 for a 40-point double-double. Powell played all but four minutes this contest, nearing a season-high.
Pace’s game came alive. Down 36-29 at halftime, the team went on a 12-4 scoring run to take the lead at 41-40. Alexander assisted or scored on 13 of the Setters’ 18 scoring plays. His jumper with 1:09 in the half tied the game at 65, setting up overtime at Goldstein. He would play the entire overtime period. His assist on a Bryan Powell three a minute into extra time would put Pace ahead for good en route to a 79-73 victory.
Alexander’s 10 assists were the most by a Pace Player since Brandon Jacobs had 11 vs Stonehill College on January 19, 2o22. The assist to Powell put him alone in The Setters Record Book as the only one to do it wearing blue and gold. Overall, he became just the 13th ever in NCAA Division II basketball.
Pace will play Southern New Hampshire University on the road today in Manchester, New Hampshire. The team returns to The Goldstein Athletic Center on Wednesday, February 21 to host American International College. Watch both competitions live on ne10now.tv