Men's Basketball

Philadelphia Nips Men's Basketball 70-67

January 26, 2008

WATERBURY, Conn.-Despite 23 points and 19 rebounds for senior swingman Arthur Robertson (Far Rockaway, N.Y./Beach Channel), the Post University men's basketball team suffered a 70-67 setback, to Philadelphia University, Saturday afternoon at the Drubner Center.

Robertson shot 7-of-10 from the field, and was a near-perfect 9-of-10 from the free throw line, as 19 of his points came in the second half for the Eagles. He led three players in double figures.

Freshman Garvin McAlister (Norwich, Conn./N.F.A.), recorded double figures for the second game in a row, and third time in his career with 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting. McAlister also knocked down a pair of three-pointers and grabbed four rebounds had an assist, a block, and two steals in 34 minutes for the Eagles.

Junior AJ Reitter added 10 points, four rebounds, and three blocks in 24 minutes off the bench. It was the 13^th time this season that the Baltimore native has scored 10 or more points in a game.

Post shot 40.7 percent from the field, connecting on 22-of-54 attempts from the field. The Eagles were 44 percent (11-25) from the field in the second half. However, Post couldn't find its mark from three-point range, as the Eagles made 26.3 percent from three-point range, knocking down 5-of-19 from downtown.

The Eagles out rebounded the Rams (10-10, 7-0 CACC) 44-40, but the Rams controlled the offensive glass, holding a 16-10 edge. Post scored 26 points in the paint, and had a 12-9 edge in second chance points. Philadelphia scored 14 points off of 18 Eagle turnovers, while Post found the bottom of the basket for 12 points, off of nine Philadelphia miscues.

The Rams had four scorers in double figures, as Marcus Lemon scored 20 of his team-high 21 points in the second half. For the game he was 6-of-15 from the floor and 6-of-9 from the charity stripe.

Malcolm Ingram chipped in with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Mike Dunn had 15 points, and Jason Hickenbottom recorded 10.

Junior center Jesse Iyalekhue (Bronx, N.Y./Columbus) scored the first basket of the game with a jumper, as the Eagles raced out to an 11-1 lead. Post held Philadelphia without a field goal, until the 9:07 mark, when Russell Frederick hit a three-pointer, to cut the Eagle lead to 16-8.

Post would keep the momentum in the first half, taking a 32-17 lead, after a three-pointer from McAlister. Post would head into the locker room leading 32-20.

A bucket by Robertson, and a fast break lay-up and a three-pointer by McAlister gave the Eagles their largest lead of the game at 39-21 with 17:28 left in the second half. But a 7-3 run, by the Rams cut into the deficit, and the Eagles led by as much at 11 points, 42-31 with 13:14 left to play.

The Eagles added to the lead a few minutes later, as a pair of free throws by Robertson put Post up by 14, at 50-36 with 10:26 left to play. Philadelphia went on a 9-0 run capped by a lay-up from Dunn, to trail 50-47 with 8:06 left.

Post would hand on to the lead over the next several minutes, but Philadelphia was able to finally take tie it at the 1:58 mark with a lay-up by Ingram.

After a Robertson basket, Ingram tied it again at 64-64 with 1:09 to play. Junior forward Omar Robinson (Brooklyn, N.Y./Canarsie) hit 1-of-2 free throws, giving the Eagles a 65-64 lead.

Hickenbottom put the Rams up for good with a pair of charity stripe tosses with 37 seconds left.

Post returns to the court on Tuesday, Jan. 29, as it travels to Bloomfield College, for a CACC contest. Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m.