The visiting team had more rebounds, assists, and shot a higher percentage, but it was Pace that pulled out the win.
The men’s basketball team managed a 63-61 win over the Yellow Jackets of American International College on Tuesday. AIC got 12 assists to Pace’s nine, and shot 37 percent in the game compared to Pace’s 30 percent, yet the home team managed to pull out a win on the scoreboard.
Despite losing out in many of the statistical battles, Pace was able to win the game by winning the all-important turnover battle.
The Setters forced the Yellow Jackets to turn the ball over 16 times throughout the game. Pace was able to capitalize on the changes of possession by putting up 23 points off of turnovers compared to just three from the Yellow Jackets. In contrast, the home team only turned the ball over seven times.
Despite getting out rebounded 50-44, the Setters were able to get more scoring chances off of their rebounds. The Setters put up a total of 29 second chance points in the game compared to just 15 from AIC.
Like the ladies’ team before them, the Setters fell behind early and got stronger during the second half of play. AIC grabbed the game’s momentum by the throat by going on a 7-0 run right out of the gate. The Setters were unable to recapture the lead in the first half and trailed 32-26 at halftime.
When the teams switched sides, the momentum changed as well. Pace outscored AIC 37-39 in the second half and shot 41 percent in the second half of play compared to the Yellow Jackets shooting 38 percent. The Setters took the lead with a Williams put back at the 3:44 mark of the game. Although the Yellow Jackets brought the game within two at the 1:28 mark, good defense from both teams resulted in the final being 63-61 in favor of Pace.
Leading the way for the Setters on the glass and on the scoreboard was senior business management major Keon Williams. Williams not only led the Setters in rebounds with 12, he scored 20 points to notch a double-double on the day.
The Setters move to 3 – 1 overall with a record of 1-1 in the NE 10. The next home game for the Setters will take place on Nov. 28 against Southern Connecticut State.