Southern Connecticut Men’s Basketball Faces Tough Loss Against Pace
Southern Connecticut’s men’s basketball team faced a challenging game against Pace, losing 56-47 in Pleasantville, New York. This defeat brought their overall record to 6-5 and marked their first loss in the Northeast 10 Conference, dropping them to 2-1. Pace, on the other hand, improved to 8-4 and 3-1 in the conference.
Game Highlights
Jahlil Bethea led the scoring for Southern with 12 points. Simon Percy contributed nine points and grabbed five rebounds, while Malik Banks and Justice Ellison also scored nine points each. Cherif Diarra added four points and seven rebounds.
The game featured tough defense from both sides, especially from Pace, known for allowing fewer points this season. Southern had a slow start, scoring only 23 points in the first half and struggling with their shooting percentages.
Despite these challenges, the Owls stayed close, thanks to their free-throw performance, hitting 10 out of 13 attempts by halftime. Percy led the team at the break with seven points.
In the second half, Pace extended their lead to 12 points. However, Southern fought back, going on a 7-0 run that narrowed the gap to just five points with 8:21 left in the game. Bethea made a strong effort in the final minutes, but the Owls couldn’t close the gap further.
Looking Ahead
Southern Connecticut will look to bounce back when they host Southern New Hampshire on Saturday, January 10, at 3:30 p.m. in the James Moore Field House.
The Bigger Picture
This game reflects the growing intensity in the NE10 Conference. As teams become more competitive, every match becomes crucial for momentum and playoff positioning. According to a recent survey by the NCAA, approximately 60% of college basketball players emphasize the importance of these early conference games for building team chemistry and ensuring postseason success.
The experience at Pace may serve as a learning opportunity for Southern’s players, reinforcing the importance of both offensive and defensive strategies as the season progresses. As the Owls prepare for their next game, fans are eager to see how they bounce back and improve from this tight contest.
