Three Ball Downs St. Joseph’s at Hartwick Tournament

ONEONTA, NY – The St. Joseph's College men's basketball team (1-2) dropped both games at the Hartwick College Tip Off Challenge this past weekend.  The Bears fell to host Hartwick College in the opener 102-60 and then to Mount Saint Mary in the consolation game 89-63.

Opening Round - Hartwick 102, St. Joseph's 60

In both games the Bears were victimized by the three pointer. Hartwick shot 52% from behind the arc, while Mt. Saint Mary connected on 39%, including going 10-16 in the first half.

In the opening game Friday night against host Hartwick, the Hawks hit a three pointer to take the lead at 3-2 then never looked back as they cruised to victory. Hartwick took control of the contest midway through the first half going on a 25-4 run and hitting seven three pointers in the process.

Bear sophomore Ismael Dabo (Bloomfield, NJ/St. John's Prep) set a career high with 18 points, shooting nine of 12 from the field while also collecting six rebounds. Senior forward Donald Coleman (Brooklyn, NY/Nazareth) was the only other Bear in double figures, finishing with 15 points. Jon Matzelle (Maspeth, NY/St. Francis Prep) led the team with seven rebounds and also chipped in six points.

Jared Suderely led the charge for Hartwick, finishing with 11 points and 10 boards for the double-double. In all there were four Hawks who were in double figures, led by Martin McCann with 16.

Consolation Game - Mount Saint Mary 89, St. Joseph's 63

The Bears remained in Oneonta to play Mt. Saint Mary in the consolation game Saturday afternoon and again were done in by the three point shot. The Knights hit 10 of 16 in the first half as they jumped out to a 55-29 halftime lead.

The Knights went on a 19-4 run to open the game and were able to hold the Bears down as they were down double digits the rest of the way.

Seniors Jon Matzelle (Maspeth, NY/St. Francis Prep) and Donald Coleman (Brooklyn, NY/Nazareth) led the Bears with 18 and 16 points apiece and grabbed eight and nine rebounds respectively.

Mt. Saint Mary's Carlos Valdez led the game with 15 boards and Chris Pisciotta paced the Knights with 18 points.

The Bears return to the Metropolitan area to take on the John Jay Bloodhounds on Tuesday, November 23rd. Tip off is set for 7:00 pm.