Rochester, N.Y. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Men's Basketball team suffered a second straight setback on Sunday afternoon, falling to Roberts Wesleyan University 107-102 at the Voller Athletic Center in Western New York.
STAC falls to 11-3 overall and 3-1 in ECC play, while Roberts Wesleyan improves to 6-7 and 3-1.
Losing back-to-back games is a rareity for the Spartans, as the maroon and gold have not fallen in consecutive contests since the 2018-2019 season, where they were defeated by both Daemen University (82-79) in overtime on January 25, 2019, then downed by Roberts Wesleyan University (71-65) on January 27, 2019.
Rich Smith led the way for the Spartans, posting a team-high 26 points, while teammates James Patterson (24pts) and Jamal Barnes (15pts) also recorded double-digit point totals.
STAC shot 52.1 percent from the field (37-71), while Roberts Wesleyan shot 55.6 percent (30-54) from the floor and 44.4 percent (12-27) from beyond the arc.
STAC NOTES AND HIGHLIGHTS:
- Eleven Spartans logged double-digit minutes in the contest.
- Jamal Barnes led the maroon and gold with three assists on the afternoon.
- Rich Smith made 10 of his 12 field goal attempts and went 6-for-9 from the charity stripe, while James Patterson went 8-for-16 from the field, 2-of-5 from three-point and 6-of-7 from the foul line.
- STAC out-rebounded Roberts Wesleyan by a 38-32 margin, with James Patterson grabbing a game-high 10 boards for the Spartans.
- St. Thomas Aquinas picked up nine steals, with the Redhawks turning the ball over on 13 separate occasions.
- The Spartans earned advantages in four team statistical categories over Roberts Wesleyan: Second Chance Points (15-2), Points in the Paint (52-34), Fastbreak Points (11-9) and Bench Points (25-13).
- The game featured three ties and three lead changes.
- The teams combined for 51 fouls, with STAC being whistled 28 times.
ROBERTS WESLEYAN NOTES AND HIGHLIGHTS:
- The Redhawks saw four starters score double-digit points, led by Malik Brooks with a game-high 32 points. Ryan Garwood (21pts), Kevin Constant (21pts) and Marlon Pratt, Jr. (11pts) also scored in double figures.
- Garwood connected from downtown six times in nine attempts for 18 points, while Brooks picked up 16 points from the foul line in 19 opportunities.
- Despite trailing STAC by 12 points at halftime (57-45), the Redhawks tallied 62 of the second half's 107 total points between the sides, to win by five (107-102).
- Roberts Wesleyan suited up just nine players due to suspensions stemming from an on-court altercation with Mercy University in its last game.
- The victory by Roberts Wesleyan snaps a 10-game losing streak to STAC, going back to February 24, 2019.
UP NEXT:
STAC returns to Aquinas Hall for its next four contests, first hosting Daemen University on Friday, January 19. The Spartans and Wildcats will clash beginning at 7:30 p.m. in Sparkill.