Men’s Basketball Falls to Widener and Regis at Oki Data Tip-Off Tourney

CHESTER, PA – Regis College (2-1) closed out the first half with a 15-0 run to break 25-25 tie and pull away from the St. Joseph's College men's basketball team en route to a 83-54 victory in the consolation of the Oki Data Americas Tip-Off tournament at Widener College. In the semifinals, the Bears suffered a 112-58 loss to host Widener (1-0).

Sophomore guard Antoine Forehand (New York, NY/Rice) led the Bears with 14 points and three rebounds and was named to the All-Tournament Team.  Senior Larry Fawcett (Middle Village, NY/Christ the King) added 11 points.

The Bears held a slim lead for the majority of the opening frame but went scoreless over the final 5:28 opening a 15 deficit at half they would be unable to cut into. Regis slowly extended their lead throughout the second stanza. The Pride utilized their depth to hold a 57-9 advantage in bench scoring and shot 45% for the game compared to the Bears 31%.

In the opener, the Bears were overmatched against the three-time defending Commonweath Conference champions who advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament last season. Playing in their season-opener, Widener employed full-court pressure for a full 40 minutes which forced 26 Bears turnovers. Widener shot an outstanding 58% from the field including 47% (9-for-19) from distance and dominated in all facets of the contest. The 54 point loss is the largest margin of defeat in head coach Joseph Cocozello's eight years at the helm.

Junior Jon Matzelle (Maspeth, NY/St. Francis Prep) led St. Joseph's for the third straight game, tying for a game-high 15 points and grabbing six rebounds. Fawcett came off the bench to shoot 4-for-4 from behind the arc to tally 14 points.

Four players scored in double figures for Widener led by Perry Wright and Chris McDevitt who had 15 points apiece.

St. Joseph's (1-3) returns to action on Tuesday, November 24 for a non-conference road tilt against Maritime College (1-0). Maritime sits in the upper tier of the Skyline Conference, selected to finish third by the preseason coaches' poll.