ABINGTON, Pa. — Senior Evan Sirakis (Hollis Hills, N.Y./St. Francis Prep) posted a game-high 22 points, banking four-of-seven three pointers. However, the St. Joseph's University, N.Y. (Brooklyn) men's basketball team were unable to come out on top against Penn State Abington on Wednesday evening; falling 71-67.
How it Happened
After trading the advantage for much of the opening six minutes of play, the Bears held on to the lead for most of the first half. Tied at 25, James Mojica's (South Ozone Park, N.Y./Archbishop Molloy) three-pointer at the 3:04 mark began a 10-2 run for the navy and gray, ultimately holding a 35-30 lead entering the break.
St. Joseph's saw the lead grow to as many as 12 with seven minutes left in the second stanza, 62-50. Abington's Christian Niles dropped eight points in the span of a minute to close the Nittany Lions' deficit to four, equalizing the contest at 62 two possessions later. A Sirakis triple at 4:04 saw the Bears' edge return to three before the hosts hit a pair of two-point buckets to take the lead, 68-65.
With seconds remaining, a chance to tie the contest at 70 came up short, suffering a 71-67 loss to conclude out-of-conference play.
For the Bears
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Sirakis added three rebounds to his stat line.
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Jonathan Reno (Staten Island, N.Y./Moore Catholic) knocked down 10 points and forced six steals.
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Max Butler (Staten Island, N.Y./Port Richmond) had 10 rebounds, the lone Bear to reach double figures in the category.
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Adam Jasaraj (Staten Island, N.Y./Susan Wagner) flirted with a double-double, finishing with nine rebounds and eight points.
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Justin Nazon (Staten Island, N.Y./Susan Wagner) logged seven points and four assists.
Up Next
The Bears resume Skyline Conference play in their return to The Hill Center on Saturday, January 6; taking on Farmingdale State at 3 pm.
