The St. Thomas Aquinas College men's basketball team battled through injuries in a spirited first half but were outgunned at LIU-Post, 74-50 in and East Coast Conference tile. TJ Jones led the Spartans with 17 points but his team dropped its third straight to fall to 5-20 overall, 5-11 ECC. Post improved to 17-7, 12-4.

Playing without leading scorer Justin Brown - sidelined with an undisclosed ailment - the Spartans put forth a spirited battle early, holding the lead for the majority of the first half. A Jones trey with 12:08 left put STAC ahead, 15-10, and they would match that lead about three minutes later on an Alushula Odongo basked "and-one" to give the Spartans an 18-13 edge.

Post would rally with an 11-3 run to take a 24-21 edge, but the Spartans would battle back to a slim 25-24 lead on a pair of Odongo free-throws with 4:44 to play before the break. The Pioneers would go on a tear, led by leading scorer Tobin Carberry, netting the next 11 points to take a 35-25 advantage, only to see STAC close to within 35-29 at halftime.

STAC would show more life after the break, with a Nick Lopez jumper completing a 10-0 run and tying the score at 35-35 in the opening two minutes of the second session. Carberry would once again break the deadlock for the hosts, setting them on a decisive 20-3 run that would open a 55-38 chasm midway through the half and take the wind out of the Spartans' sails, as the hosts would cruise to victory.

Carberry led all scorers with 23 points, and teammates Vaughn Allen and Emile Blackman added 18 each for the Pioneers. STAC shot just 33% from the field (19-of-53) on the night, while Post enjoyed a decisive 47-33 rebounding advantage.

The Spartans will return to action this Saturday, February 23, when they host the University of Bridgeport in an East Coast Conference battle at Aquinas Hall. In addition to Senior Day festivities before the game, it is also "Wounded Warrior Project" day at St. Thomas Aquinas, as donations will be collected to benefit this worthwhile organization. Tip-off time is set for approximately 3:00 pm, after the conclusion of the women's game.