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High-Octane First Half Not Enough for Men's Basketball on Senior Night Against Yeshiva

High-Octane First Half Not Enough for Men's Basketball on Senior Night Against Yeshiva

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Despite holding Yeshiva University to no more than an eight-point lead, and holding on to the advantage late in the first half, the St. Joseph's University, NY (Brooklyn) men's basketball team suffered a 75-55 defeat on Tuesday night.

Seniors Anderson Beltre (East Elmhurst, N.Y./Holy Cross) and Joe Sheehan (Staten Island, N.Y./Gaynor McCown) combined to score 23 points on 10-of-18 shooting on their Senior Night. The tandem – along with fellow classmate Jamea Mojica (South Ozone Park, N.Y./Archbishop Molloy) – were recognized in a ceremony prior to the opening tip.

How it Happened

Spearheaded by Oren Betesh, Yeshiva (15-9, 12-3) head a 17-9 lead midway through the first half. The Bears (5-19, 2-13) closed the gap to four, 17-13, but the Maccabees restored their eight-point advantage, 21-13. A 12-3 run paced by Sheehan and Evan Sirakis (Hollis Hills, N.Y./St. Francis Prep) gave SJBK their first lead of the night, 25-24; eventually increasing to 30-27 with over three minutes remaining in the half. However, the visitors reclaimed the lead, holding on to a slim 34-33 edge at the half.

The Bears kept pace with the Maccabees early in the second stanza but saw their deficit increase to 11 at the 11:50 mark. Beltre netted 10 points in the half but it could not get St. Joseph's any closer, falling 75-55.

For the Bears

  • Sirakis led the Bears with 19 points while collecting three caroms.

  • Sheehan dropped 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting and a team-high eight rebounds. He also swatted a pair of shots.

  • Beltre had 12 points to his name along with six boards.

  • Joshua Gordon (Brooklyn, N.Y./Bishop Loughlin) pulled eight rebounds.

  • Jonathan Reno (Staten Island, N.Y./Moore Catholic) finished with six points, four rebounds, and as many assists.

Up Next

The Bears conclude the 2022-23 season with a trip to sibling school St. Joseph's (Long Island) on Saturday, February 18 at 3:30 p.m. Live stats and video will be available on sjbkathletics.com/live.