CANTON, N.Y. - Playing in their second matchup against the Saints this season, the Bard College men's basketball team dropped a 72-61 decision to St. Lawrence University Friday evening.
The teams played a balanced game early on, with neither able to gain an advantage in the opening minutes. The Raptors (0-17, 0-11 LL) received a strong start from sophomore forward
Stamatis Koulouris, who scored six early points to help Bard keep pace with the Saints (7-10, 5-6 LL). Following a pair of baskets that put St. Lawrence ahead, the Raptors took an 18-17 lead thanks to a pair of three pointers from Koulouris and freshman guard
Elliot Harris, who finished the half with six points. The home team then went on a brief flurry to regain the lead, but Bard once again turned to the three ball to close the gap. The tandem of freshman guards
Tyler Bruns and
Stefanos Psarras hit a pair from long distance to get Bard within two points, but the Saints once again responded. They scored six consecutive points to create separation late in the half, and took a 37-29 lead into the locker room.
St. Lawrence started off the second half strong and opened up a 14 point lead five minutes in. Bruns then scored five straight points to get the Raptors back within nine, and later converted an and-one opportunity to keep Bard close, but St. Lawrence proved to be too much. The Saints eventually built their lead up to 20 points following a 12-2 run with six minutes remaining, and although the Raptors put together a late run to narrow the gap, they ran out of time as St. Lawrence picked up their fifth conference win of the season.
Bruns led the Raptors on the night with 16 points and five rebounds while shooting six-of-nine from the field, while Harris added 14 points. Freshman guard
Kevin Le picked up 13 points and six rebounds, and Koulouris had team-highs with eight rebounds and five assists to go along with 11 points.
The Raptors finish up their seven game road trip Saturday, Feb. 1, when they visit Clarkson University for a 4:00 p.m. matchup.
