SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The College of Saint Rose dropped its second consecutive close game with tonight's 79-76 defeat at American International, which came on the heels of Wednesday's identical setback to visiting Molloy.
Freshman forward
Shane O'Dell paced the Golden Knight (2-3) with a season-high 24 points while sophomore swing
Cartier Bowman tied his career-best with 18 points, behind 7-for-9 shooting from the floor. Senior guard
Adam Anderson added 10 points.
Junior forward Franklyn Batista paced the Yellow Jackets (1-4) with a monster "double-double" of 16 points and 18 rebounds, while freshman guards Carlos Hubb and Donovan Miller contributed 18 and 13 points respectively.
Overall, American International outscored Saint Rose 42-22 in the paint and 19-10 from the free throw line.
Saint Rose appeared to be in control with a seven point, 75-68, advantage with 3:13 remaining after Bowman converted a pair of free throws. However, the Yellow Jackets outscored the Golden Knights 11-1 the rest of the way to secure their first win of the year.
Saint Rose was clinging to a one point, 76-75, lead with 53 ticks left on the clock when American International hauled in a key offensive rebound and Batista finished a layup out of a timeout to afford the Yellow Jackets their first lead, 77-76, since the 5:08 mark of the first half.
Batista then came up with a steal before being fouled while attacking the rim at the other end. He converted both subsequent free throws.
Saint Rose freshman guard
Tray Alexander drew a foul at midcourt on the ensuing possession. He missed the front of end of his one-and-one although sophomore forward
Josh McGettigan came up with the offensive rebound. However, the Golden Knights ultimately weren't able to get a final clear look.
Going forward, these two teams are scheduled to conclude their weekend home-and-home with a 4:00 pm tip-off tomorrow inside the Daniel P. Nolan Gymnasium.
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