Men's Basketball

November 17, 2007

BRIDGEPORT, Conn.-The Post University men's basketball team used a 14-4 run to start the second half, shooting 53.3 percent from the field in the second stanza, to defeat American International, 68-45, in the first round of the Purple Knight Classic, at the Harvey Hubble Gym, at the University of Bridgeport Saturday afternoon.

The Eagles (1-1) led 24-19 at the break, but both teams had trouble shooting the basketball, as Post connected on only 28.6 percent (10-35) from the floor, and AIC (0-1) connected on 6-of-28 (21.4 percent), through the first 20 minutes.

But in the second half, the Eagles were able to turn it around, as Post was converted 16-of-30 field goal opportunities. Senior forward Peter Lawal (Uniondale, N.Y./Uniondale) began the second half with two quick lay-ups, and was followed by a pair of free throws from senior swingman Arthur Robertson, a lay-in from junior center Jesse Iyalekhue (Bronx, N.Y./Columbus), two more free throws from junior swingman James Lee (Montreal, Quebec, Canada/Vanier Prep), a basket from Robertson, and a bucket from Lee, giving the Eagles a 38-23, lead with 15:36 to play.

The run came to an end when AIC, cut into the lead with back-to-back three-pointers from Lucius Millinder and Jeff Dosado, cutting the Eagle lead to nine points, at 38-29, with 14:57 to go.

On the next trip down the floor, junior forward AJ Reitter (Baltimore, Md./Franklin), who came off a career-high 29 points in the season-opener, nailed a three-pointer, which sparked a 17-6 run, for the Eagles giving them a 55-35 lead with 8:11 left to play. The junior also netted the 600th point of his collegiate career.

Post would eventually stretch the lead to 27 points with a jumper by senior guard Mike Brockington (Far Rockaway, N.Y./Mohawk Valley C.C.).

Robertson led a balanced offensive attack for the Eagles with 15 points; he also grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. The Far Rockaway native is 15 points shy of the 1,000-point plateau.

Reitter recorded his second double-digit point outing to begin the season, with 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting. He also grabbed five rebounds and had two blocks and a steal.

Iyalekhue finished the evening with 12 points, including eight in the first half, on 6-of-10 from the field. He also pulled down seven rebounds and is now three shy of 300 in his career.

Lee had nine points, while Lawal had eight in the second half, to go along with eight rebounds, including five on the offensive glass.

Freshman guard Garvin McAlister (Norwich, Conn./Norwich Free Academy) saw his first extensive action for the Eagles with three assists and a game-high five steals in 19 minutes off the bench.

Ryan Leak had a team-high 11 points for the Yellowjackets, while Aikeem Vanderhorst had nine points

The Eagles outrebounded the Yellowjackets, 50-37, including a 19-15 edge on the offensive glass. Post also dished out 13 assists, and forced the Yellowjackets into 17 turnovers. Post finished the evening shooting 40 percent (26-65), and held AIC to 23.7 percent (14-59) from the field and 27.8 percent (5-18) from three-point range.

Post connected on 13-of-16 (81.3 percent) from the charity stripe.

The Eagles will close out the Purple Knight Classic on Sunday afternoon, as it faces Bryant University at the Hubble Gym. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. Bryant fell to the host Purple Knights 79-49, in the first game of the afternoon.

Game Notes: AJ Reitter scored his 600^th career-point with a three-pointer at the 1:34 mark of the first half ... The last time these two teams played with December 17, 2005, with the Yellowjackets winning 63-56 at home ... Jesse Iyalekhue has registered double-digit point efforts in six of his last seven games dating back to last season ... Junior Rob McClain and freshman Spencer Smith each played in their first career games for the Eagles ... After averaging 39.6 rebounds per game last season, the Eagles are averaging 48.5 rpg through two games this season.