BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The Pratt Institute men's basketball team secured its first conference victory of the season and snapped a four-game skid, defeating Saint Elizabeth University, 83-74, in a spirited Atlantic East matchup on Wednesday night at the Activity Resource Center.
Pratt (9-7, 1-4 Atlantic East) was led by Kurt Thomas (Dallas, Texas), who posted a team-high 17 points and went 9-for-11 from the free-throw line. Sebastian Roda (Greenwich, Conn.) provided a major spark off the bench, scoring 15 points and tying his career high with four three-pointers on a perfect 4-for-4 shooting from deep Â
After trading baskets early, the Cannoneers used a 6-0 run capped by a Mekhi Davis (Brooklyn, N.Y.) layup for a 10-4 lead they would not relinquish. They continued to build on that advantage, and a layup by Thomas Prendergast later in the half pushed the score to 25-17. Roda connected on a pair of three-pointers in the final three minutes of the half to help extend the lead to 37-24 at the intermission.
Pratt maintained a comfortable double-digit lead for most of the second half, with Roda hitting another three-pointer to push the advantage to 51-34 with 14:37 remaining. However, the Cannoneers had to battle through significant foul trouble as the Eagles began to chip away at the lead.
Pratt saw three key players foul out of the contest and Saint Elizabeth took advantage, mounting a late comeback that trimmed the deficit to five, 77-72, with just under a minute to play. But the Cannoneers remained composed and hit six consecutive free throws in the final minute, with Thomas going 4-for-4 in back-to-back trips to the line, to seal the hard-fought victory.
Davis finished with 14 points and seven rebounds. Elijah Fermaint (Orlando, Fla.) contributed 13 points, grabbing four boards with three assists. Prendergast added 11 points and seven rebounds. Cameron Hatcher (Cincinnati, Ohio) was a defensive force with three steals and two blocks while scoring seven points.
Saint Elizabeth (5-10, 0-5 Atlantic East) was led by 20-point efforts from both Tye-Rell Monroe and Josiah King. Monroe also completed a double-double with 10 rebounds.
The Cannoneers will look to build on the win as they open a four-game road stand traveling to Immaculata University for an Atlantic East matchup on Saturday, Jan. 24. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m.
