PITTSBURGH, Pa. – La Roche men's basketball opened AMCC play on Wednesday night, playing host to the Mt. Aloysius Mounties. The Redhawks fell behind and despite coming back to take the lead late, it was the visitors closing the night with an 82-81 final.
Neither team gave up much throughout the entire first half, as the largest lead over the opening 20 minutes of play was four separate four-point leads by the red and black.
The initial four-point lead came with 8:19 remaining when La Roche took a 26-22 edge.
By the end of the half, the game was right back where it started, deadlocked, with the score reading 42-42 going into the locker rooms.
Out of the break, the teams traded baskets over the first four minutes of play and with 15:42 on the clock, the Redhawks led 48-47.
It was at this point, Mt. Aloysius took control for the time being, utilizing a 12-3 run over the next 2:35 to open the game's largest lead at 60-51.
By the 9:45 remaining mark, La Roche trimmed the deficit back down to just 64-61, but with 3:35 left, the deficit was back up to 78-71.
The Redhawks had a strong push down the stretch, coming through with an 8-0 run to regain the lead for the first time since the 16:22 mark of the second half, 79-78.
The teams would trade free throws down the stretch, but with 31 seconds left, the Mounties took an 82-81 lead.
La Roche had a pair of chances in the final 10 seconds, but both attempts were thwarted by Mt. Aloysius by way of blocks to close out the night.
For the game, the Redhawks finished 32-for-66 (48.5%) from the floor and 4-for-18 (22.2%) from three. From the foul line, they capitalized on 13 of 18 attempts (72.2%).
On the other side, Mt. Aloysius finished 28-for-58 (48.3%) from the field, 6-for-16 (37,5%) from deep and 20-for-29 (69%) from the free-throw stripe.
The Redhawks had three players in double figures, led by a fantastic night from Joe Starzynski.
Starzynski netted a game-high 27 points on 9-for-15 shooting, while adding eight rebounds, four assists and four blocks.
Bryce Epps followed with 16 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Michael Brooks contributed 11 points.
La Roche heads back on the road this weekend to meet with Alfred State on Saturday, Dec. 7. Opening tip scheduled for 7:30 p.m.