BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The Pratt Institute men's basketball team battled to the wire but was unable to overcome a decisive second-half run, falling 67-62 to Centenary University in an Atlantic East Conference matchup on Wednesday night at the Activity Resource Center.
First-year guard Elijah Fermaint (Orlando, Fla.) led the Cannoneers with a highly efficient 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the floor. Sophomore guard Thomas Graetz (Sydney, Australia) added 15 points, and junior Thomas Prendergast (Bayport, N.Y.) provided a major spark off the bench with nine points, five rebounds, and a career-high five steals.
The contest was a back-and-forth affair with eight lead changes and five ties. After trailing 31-27 at halftime, Pratt (8-6, 0-3) regained the lead with an 8-0 run capped by a Cameron Hatcher triple for a 45-38 lead at the 12-minute mark.
After Pratt led for nearly 10 minutes, Centenary (4-10, 2-1) seized control with an 11-2 run to build a 62-57 advantage, a deficit the Cannoneers could not overcome. Pratt made a late push, cutting the deficit to 65-60 on a layup by Fermaint with 23 seconds left, but the Cyclones held on to secure the victory.
The Cannoneers' defense forced 19 turnovers and recorded 12 steals, but the team struggled from the free-throw line, shooting 15-of-24. Centenary capitalized on its opportunities at the stripe, converting 22 of its 31 attempts.
Devin Strickland led Centenary with 18 points, while Justin Carbone and Darnelle Forrest each chipped in 12 points.
The Cannoneers return to the Activity Resource Center on Saturday, Jan. 17, to host Marymount University for a 3 p.m. conference tip-off.
