Salem University Defeats Men's Basketball, 59-45

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| 3/13/2023 8:40 PM | Kevin Turi, Sports Information Coordinator

Richmond, VA- 

The Bryant & Stratton College- Syracuse Men's Basketball team lost in the first round of the USCAA National Championship tournament on Monday evening to Salem University, 59-45.

How it Happened:

On Monday evening, the #5-seed Bryant & Stratton College- Syracuse Men's Basketball team took on the #4-seed Salem University in the first round of the 2023 USCAA National Championship tournament.

The energy on the sideline was tangible prior to tip-off and the Bobcats were able to use the energy to jump out to a fast start.  On the first play of the game, Anton Berga found a cutting Josue Oreste for a ferocious two-handed slam dunk.  The next posession down, Berga would blow past his defender for a lay-up of his own to open a quick 4-0 lead.  

The rest of the first half was a defensive battle as the two teams looked to figure out each other in their first ever meeting. An extended 1-3-1 zone from Salem University created several turnovers and easy baskets in transition for them to take the lead with just over 7 minutes to play in the first half.  However, a strong first half from Darren Joyner helped steady the ship and keep the Bobcats in the game.  Joyner hit two big 3-pointers in the first half and lead all Bobcats players with 6 points at the break.  

Heading into halftime, the Bobcats trailed by 1-point, 24-23.

In the second half, the Bobcats struggled from the field and it was just not their day.  The Bobcats shot 26.7% (8-30) from the floor and 20% (2-10) from 3-point range.  Good  performances from Tyrece Thompson and Jameel Abdallah kept the game close over the first 6 minutes of the second half, but a 12-3 Salem Univeristy run with 10-minutes to play provided the separation that would prove too much to overcome for the Bobcats.

The final score on the evening was Salem University 59, Bryant & Stratton College- Syracuse 45.

"Unfortunately, at this point in the season, there really are no moral victories," said Head Coach Clay Gagen-Sherman following the loss.  "This loss hurts and will sting for a while, but I know when we look back on this season in a few months there is a lot to be proud of."

Next Game:

Despite the loss, the Bobcats will play one final game of the 2022-23 season in a Consolation Matchup versus Mississippi University for Women on Tuesday, March 14th at 10am.  Be sure to follow @bscbobcatssyr on all of our social media platforms for updates and more on the final game of the 2022-23 Bryant & Stratton College- Syracuse Men's Basketball season!