The St. Thomas Aquinas College men's basketball team earned a split in their upstate weeekend after a 68-62 decision over Roberts Wesleyan in an East Coast Conference match-up. Marcus Henderson led all scorers, pacing the Spartans with 19 points. The teams finished the day with even records, standing at 8-8 overall and 4-6 in ECC play.

Both teams battled to an even start before STAC took off on a 16-3 run to grab a 28-15 lead. The Redhawks battled back to trim the deficit to 31-27 at halftime. A Henderson trey five minutes after the break reestablished control for the Spartans at 45-33, but the hosts exploded on a 16-0 tear to grab a 49-45 lead.

They extended that margin to as many as five points but the STAC stormed back, tying the score on an Omar Kellman basket and regaining the edge on a Jon McNair trey with 2:45 left. The Spartans sealed the deal at the free throw line, hitting eight straight down the stretch.

McNair recorded 14 points, Eli Maravich added 13, and Kellman posted 11 to pace STAC. Patrick Downer set the pace for RWC with 18 points.

The Spartans return home on Tuesday, January 28, hosting Mercy College in an ECC showdown. Tipoff is set for 7:30 pm, following the completion of the women's game which starts at 5:30.