The Bard College men's basketball team (2-1) defeated the Russell Sage Gators (2-1) on Saturday afternoon, extending their head-to-head winning streak to three after being on the opposite end of a winning streak that started while these two teams were Skyline conference foes.

The Raptors held Trevor Green to 1-of-12 shooting for just 6 points – the Gator guard came in averaging 14.5 points per game on 50% from the field. Sage as a whole was limited to 31.7% shooting from the field.

Graduate students Lazaros Panagiotounis and Azriel Almodovar continued to show their veteran experience at a high rate, with the former scoring 23 points on 18 shots, and the latter nearing a double-double with 18 points and eight boards. Almodovar also swiped four steals, a season-high. Rowan Heinze played 34 minutes, grabbing a season-high 11 rebounds – four offensive. 

Sean Wilcox has started this season with two steals in each game, and this one was no exception. He also added a bit of everything from playmaking to defense to three-point shooting. Ahmad Rauf led the team in blocks, with two, while playing 27 minutes. He also hit two threes, one in each half.

Jalen Umstead, Max Frei, and Lucas Tovar all scored and contributed defensively with either a block or a steal each. Joshua Bayne has made a three in every game while averaging just eight minutes. Luke Ravitz and Seth Dyer each had some run late in the first half.

The Raptors were down late in the first half, 19-20, but they proceeded to get hot from three, going on a 15-3 run. The Raptors forced four turnovers in four minutes during this run, staying attached to the ball handlers on pick and rolls, blowing up screens by going over them. Along with good team defense, Jalen Umstead met Green on a baseline drive, stuffing him at the rim.

The Gators closed in during the second half, cutting the deficit to five. After Sage narrowed the gap, Panagiotounis responded with a finish through traffic and hit a free throw, converting an and-one to extend the lead to eight. Sage put on the press after a timeout with 6:00 to go, but it didn't phase Bard. The Raptors took control at 57-54, finishing on a 16-6 run to secure the win.

Next up for the Raptors is the Hudson Valley Classic, where they will play Mount St. Mary on Vassar's court on Friday, November 22, at 5:30 p.m.