Mount Aloysius ekes out narrow win over Men’s Basketball

CRESSON, Pa. --- Carlow University men's basketball lost a close 81-78 AMCC game at Mount Aloysius College Wednesday night.

The Celtics (3-9, 1-4 AMCC) shot a perfect 14 for 14 from the foul line, but it was not enough to lift them to victory over the Mounties (4-8, 2-3 AMCC).

Oscar Contreras sank four of Carlow's six treys on the night to lead the Celtics with a season- and game-high 22 points off the bench.

Riley Comforti scored 18 points with eight rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block, while Byron Gaskins added 18 points, three assists and two steals in the effort.

It was a close, back and forth contest throughout the evening.

The Celtics tied the score several times in the first half, and Contreras hit a trey to put Carlow within a point of tying the game with two minutes remaining.

Mount Aloysius returned the favor with just over a minute left in the half, and prevented Carlow from scoring to take a 39-35 lead into intermission.

Comforti picked up a steal and scored a layup to give Carlow its first advantage of the game, 42-41, two minutes into the second half.

The teams traded leads before a few quick buckets put the Mounties ahead, 55-48.

Mount Aloysius stayed just out of reach of the Celtics, but Carlow battled on, once again tying the score at 72-all with two free throws from Gaskins.

Two treys and a layup gave the Mounties a six-point advantage before the Celtics returned to make it a two-point game with less than 10 seconds on the clock.

Mount Aloysius sank one free throw, and Carlow pulled down the rebound after a miss on the second shot, but the Celtics were unable to land a game-tying three-pointer as time slipped away.

The Mounties shot 54.8 percent (34 for 62) from the field and outrebounded the Celtics, 34-25.

Carlow scored 19 points off 22 Mounties turnovers, but Mount Aloysius held a 54-28 advantage in the paint.

Will Hagwood led the Mounties with 22 points, and two other players contributed double figures in the win.

Carlow hosts Pitt Bradford for a 4 p.m. game at Donahue Pavilion Jan. 6.