Men's Basketball

December 28, 2007

SMITHFIELD, R.I.-Despite 18 points from junior forward AJ Reitter (Baltimore, Md./Franklin) and a career-high 15 points from freshman guard Garvin McAlister (Norwich, Conn./N.F.A.), the Post University men's basketball team, dropped a 65-58 decision, to Bryant College, in the first-round of the Bryant Holiday Classic at the Chace Athletic Center, Friday afternoon.

In just his second career start this afternoon, McAlister recorded double digits for the first time as a collegian. He connected on three three-pointers, while grabbing three rebounds and dishing out two assists in 34 minutes for the Eagles (5-5).

Bryant (6-5) led wire-to-wire; yet the Bulldogs needed to withstand a late rally by the Eagles. After leading 40-27 with about 15 minutes left in the second half, Post whittled the lead to 48-47 after a trey from McAlister and a driving lay-up from senior guard Isa Carnegie (Plainfield, N.J./Plainfield).

Following the bucket from Carnegie Bryant called timeout, and coming out of the break in the action, Bryant's Jon Ezeokoli nailed a three-pointer, to give the Bulldogs a four-point cushion. However, Post stuck around, and knotted the game at 56-56 with 1:51 left, after junior center Jesse Iyalekhue (Bronx, N.Y./Columbus) blocked a shot by Ezeokoli which set up a driving lay-up from Reitter.

Although a pair of baseline jumpers from Ryan McLean, put the Bulldogs back in front for good.

Ezokoli led all scorers with 20 points, while Barry Latham chipped in with 13 for the Bulldogs.

Post shot 41.4 percent (24-58) from the field, and controlled the inside outscoring the Bulldogs 24-18 in the paint. The Eagles also shot 4-of-19 from three-point range (21.1 percent) and 6-of-12 from the charity stripe.

Each team controlled 36 rebounds, but the Eagles held a slight 10-9 margin in offensive rebounds, which led to nine second chance points. Post also forced Bryant into 10 turnovers, leading to 16 points.

Post will conclude the Bryant Holiday Classic on Saturday as it squares off against Assumption College. Tip-off is slated for 5 p.m. in the Chace Athletic Center.