ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. - The Bard College men's basketball team lost at home to the Saints of St. Lawrence University, 53-46, Saturday afternoon in a Liberty League contest. 

The result dropped Bard to 10-8 overall and 6-5 in the Liberty League, while St. Lawrence is now 12-6 and 9-2.

A day after lighting up the scoreboard against Clarkson University, the Raptors' offense couldn't buy a basket to open the game, as the Saints' defense and length swarmed Bard throughout. The hosts fell behind early, and actually weren't able to hit double figures until 6:48 remained in the first half.

Despite the offense struggles, Bard's defense was able to pressure and make St. Lawrence uncomfortable on the offensive end, which kept the Raptors in it. As a result, just like the first meeting earlier in the season, neither side possessed a double-digit lead in the game. 

The Raptors' offense started to warmup just before the halftime break, as they were able to cut the deficit to just three points, 22-19. The Saints responded to Bard's effort though, doubling their advantage during the final two minutes of the half to carry a, 27-21, lead into the half. 

To start the second half, Bard came out like a blaze, as the full-court press and traps forced St, Lawrence into missed shots and turnovers. On the flip side, the Raptors' offense was able to turn those opportunities into points, as the hosts outscored the Saints, 10-3, during the opening four minutes of the second frame.

In that four-minute span, the Raptors were able to regain the lead, 31-30, and with the Stevenson crowd at full-throat, it appeared as if Bard was ready to lead the rest of the way. 

St. Lawrence had other ideas.

Over the next eight minutes, the Saints' defense regained its stifling natural, and was able to hold Bard to just five points. Their offense meanwhile, was able to do just enough to regain the lead, 40-36, with eight minutes to go. 

Over the next few minutes, the Raptors kept the game tight, cutting the deficit to 47-43 with just over four minutes to play, but that was as close they got the rest of the way. 

On the afternoon, the Raptors finished by shooting 29 percent from the field, including just 12 percent from three-point range. St. Lawrence wasn't much better, as the guests shot 37 percent in the win. 

On the glass, the Saints enjoyed a 46-33 advantage, but turned the ball over 22 times, while Bard only had 17 turnovers. 

Justyn Rogers led the way for Bard with 13 points and seven rebounds. Alijah Rue added 11 points, four assists and four steals and David Runcie tallied 10 points in the effort. 

For St. Lawrence, Riley Naclerio (Cohoes, NY) was the only player to hit double figures in points, as he finished with a game-high 20. Ben Crawford (Framingham, MA) added nine points and grabbed 19 rebounds.

Up next for Bard is a midweek road game against Liberty League foe, Union College. That game is set for 8 p.m. on January 29th. You can follow it right here.