Neck and Neck First Half Not Enough for Men’s Basketball in Defeat to Farmingdale State

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Hanging on with Farmingdale State College for much of the first half, the St. Joseph's University, N.Y. (Brooklyn) men's basketball team was unable to pull out a road result, falling 78-63 on Saturday afternoon.

How it Happened

The first half saw little separation between the Bears (5-18, 2-12) and the Skyline's South Division leaders. The Rams (16-7, 11-3) led by no more than five points, 17-12, before six-straight points swung the advantage in the navy and gray's favor. A three-pointer from rookie Justin Nazon (Staten Island, N.Y./Susan Wagner) brought the Bears' lead to six, 30-24, but 10 unanswered points from the hosts saw them lead 34-30 at the halftime break.

Farmingdale State's momentum carried into the second half, taking a 10-point lead at the 16:09 mark, 42-32, and further distancing themselves from SJBK. Their lead grew to 25, their largest of the game, with over three minutes on the clock, 77-52. A strong 11-1 run to conclude the game brought the Bears to 78-63 at the end of 40 minutes.

For the Bears

• Jonathan Reno (Staten Island, N.Y./Moore Catholic) led the team with 13 points and four assists.

• Joe Sheehan (Staten Island, N.Y./Gaynor McCown) finished with 10 points and four rebounds.

• Evan Sirakis (Hollis Hills, N.Y./St. Francis Prep) had nine points and four assists on the afternoon.

• Joshua Gordon (Brooklyn, N.Y./Bishop Loughlin) collected five caroms while fours Bears – Sirakis, Nazon, Adam Jasaraj (Staten Island, N.Y./Susan Wagner) and Samil Melo (Brooklyn, N.Y./Adams Street) each had four boards.

Up Next

Following women's basketball's game with Manhattanville College on Tuesday night, the Bears will host Yeshiva University on Tuesday, February 14 at 7:30 p.m. Senior Night ceremonies will take place prior to the start of the game. Live stats and video will be available on sjbkathletics.com/live.