The men’s basketball team improved their record to 5-16 with their second win in a row, defeating American International College 69-65.
Senior Jonathan Merceus continued to break records as he recorded the 100th steal of his career, which helped tie the game at 14-14 early in the game.
The Setters scored first, giving themselves the lead, but the Yellow Jackets quickly took the lead, and after a close score for most of the first half, they took off in the final minutes, leading the Setters 38-31 by halftime.
Pace came back for the second half scoring eight points within the first two and half minutes, cutting down the Yellow Jacket’s lead to 41-40.
After a two pointer from senior Denzel Primus-Devonish that gave Pace a 44-42 lead, the Setters never looked back, holding on to their lead. AIC kept the game close, but the Setters were able to hold them off.
“We played great defensively in the second half, and that along with our execution on the offensive side is what allowed us to hold off AIC in the end,” said Primus-Devonish, who netted 13 points.
Pace honored its seniors throughout the day, with seniors from the cheer and dance teams being recognized early on, followed by the men’s basketball seniors just before the start of the men’s game.
Both Jonathan Merceus and Denzel Primus-Devonish added on to their legacy at Pace, with Merceus posting a double-double with 15 rebounds and 20 points.
Primus-Devonish led the team with six assists, and is glad to have had the opportunity to play at Pace.
“I believe I have had a pretty good career here and I’m happy that the program has had a change in the coaching staff,” Primus-Devonish said. “I am very glad that I was able to play under Coach Pat Kennedy for this year.”
The first half of the double header on Saturday saw the Yellow Jackets defeat the Setters by a score of 60-43, dropping Pace’s women’s basketball team to a 4-17 record.
Pace went on a 10-3 run, with eight points from freshman Shanice Allen, who led the team with 12 points overall, which cut AIC’s lead down to 21-20 in the final minutes of the first half, but the Yellow Jackets maintained their lead and led 35-24 heading into halftime.
Another offensive run was put up by Pace in the early minutes of the second half, with a 7-2 run closing the gap to 37-31. However, a lay-up from junior forward Krista Ferrentino increased the lead for the Yellow Jackets, one in which they did not surrender for the rest of the game.
“It was a tough loss to see,” said Jennifer DiMaggio, Pace women’s basketball alumni who attended the alumni festivities on Saturday. “But every team goes through cycles and right now they are in that rough part of the cycle, but it will get better.”
Both teams return to action on Wed., Feb. 12 with the second to last home game, as they take on The College of St. Rose. The women’s game starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men’s game at 7:30 p.m.