Owls collapse against Pace

After building a strong first half lead, the men’s basketball team faltered in the second. They fell 60–56 to Pace University on Feb. 4, at James Moore Field House 

This is the Owls’ second time facing Pace this season, previously losing to them on the road. The team hoped to defend their home court this time around, but the lack of effort in the second half kept them from doing so. 

“We let them dictate everything,” head coach Scott Burrell said. “We just didn’t compete and gave them a game we should have had at home.” 

The game started off in the Owls’ favor with guard Christian McClease, a sophomore, draining two of his five threes in the game. Along with McClease’s perimeter shooting, the Owls found early offensive balance through guard Justice Ellison, a graduate, who finished the game with 17 points, four rebounds and three steals. 

Ellison’s performance helped the team control the tempo before half, as the team used patient ball movement and defensive pressure to keep Pace from finding any sustained rhythm. 

“Justice is a great teammate. He’s a big time scorer, and he does what he needs to do for the team,” McClease said. 

The Owls carried the momentum into the locker room with confidence, holding Pace to limited scoring opportunities in the opening 20 minutes. 

That control, however, began to slip coming out of halftime. Pace was able to open the second half with increased physicality on both ends of the floor. 

That patience that the team had in the first half was no longer there, and that allowed Pace to capitalize on turnovers and second-chance opportunities. 

Despite the second half troubles, the game marked a personal milestone for forward Cherif Diarra, a graduate, who joined the university’s 1,000 point club with four left in the game. Diarra had 12 points, eight rebounds, two blocks and two steals 

“It’s an amazing feeling. I have been here for a while, and I put in a lot of hard work with very supportive teammates throughout my career,” Diarra said. 

The Owls finished the game shooting 24-52 from the paint and 2-13 from the perimeter. Pace capitalized on the Owls’ second half struggles, forcing them into contested shots as the game tightened. In the final minutes, the university had opportunities to take over the game but was unable to convert on key possessions and gave up plays they should not have. 

This loss gives the Owls a four-game losing streak against Pace and moves the team down the standings, leaving them at a 9-11 record, 5-7 in the conference. 

The loss served as another reminder of the thin margin for error in conference play. The team will look to bounce back in its next matchup as it continues its conference schedule. 

With contributions from McClease, Ellison and Diarra, the Owls will aim to turn strong starts into complete performances moving forward. 

“We just gotta come back harder, play more defense and limit the turnovers to be ready,” McClease said.