The St. Thomas Aquinas College men's basketball team dropped it's season opener to East Stroudsburg University, 90-65 at Aquinas Hall on Saturday night. Newcomer Aaron Cust led the Spartans with 16 points with Omar Kellman adding 14 in the setback.

With new Head Coach Tobin Anderson patroling the sideline for his first game, the Spartans faced a stern test in their opponents from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, who have qualified for the NCAA Tournament in three of the past four seasons.

After Alushula Odongo gave STAC the lead with a pair of early free throws, the Warriors reeled off 10 straight points to grab the lead. The Spartans settled down and a Whis Grant three-pointer gave ESU a 25-18 advantage midway through the half, when the hosts came roaring back.

Matt Darnell and newcomer Marcus Henderson hit consecutive buckets, and Chaz Watler convverted an "and-1" to draw the contest even at 25-25 with 8:30 left in the half, to the delight of the packed house at Aquinas Hall.

After an exchange of baskets, however, East Stroudsburg wrested control of the contest, embarking on a 16-0 run over a five-minute span to open a 43-27 gap. They would maintain that margin into the break, holding a 47-31 lead at halftime.

STAC would hang tough in the second stanza, with a Matt Darnell free throw trimming the deficit to 54-41 after seven minutes of play. Once again, the Warriors would have the answer, taking off on a 16-5 run to open up a 20-point edge and secure a lead they would not relinquish.

Grant was one of four ESU players in double-figures, leading all scorers with 18 points. Jamal Nawaniemeka added 16 points, Rasheed Moore added 12 and Will Brown chipped in with 10 in the balanced attack.

The contest was the first of five straight at Aquinas Hall to start the season for the Spartans. On Tuesday, November 12, they will host Wilmington University at 7:00 pm, and Stonehill College pays a call for a 5:00 start on Saturday, November 16. The East Coast Conference schedule kicks off against University of District of Columbia on Saturday, November 23 in a 3:00 start as the back end of a double-header after the women's game, and nearby rival Nyack College will take the short trip to Sparkill for a 7:00 pm start on Tuesday, November 26.