Rochester, N.Y. (January 23, 2015) - The men's basketball team suffered a close loss to NYIT this evening in conference play. This is now the fourth loss within five points for the Redhawks.

Roberts Wesleyan looks to put the loss behind them tomorrow afternoon when they host LIU Post at 4pm.

The Redhawks Take the Lead
Roberts Wesleyan was able to get on the board first with a layup by Malik Dare. Dare was a perfect  4-4 from the field totaling eight points for the evening. Despite early attempts to take the lead by NYIT, the Redhawks were able to hold on to a slight lead throughout the beginning of the first half.

Roberts Wesleyan's largest lead came five minutes into play when a free throw by Tyrel Dixon to put the Redhawks up by five.

A Close Match-Up
Both teams battled for control of the court. In the first half alone there were a total of three lead changes and NYIT fought to tie up the game three times. Both teams even had similar shooting percentages varying less than seven percent. The loss for Roberts Wesleyan and the win for NYIT gives both teams a 3-6 record in the ECC.

NYIT Picks up the Pace
With ten minutes left to go in the first half, Darian Hooker of NYIT tied the score with a shot from long range. Hooker came up big for the Bears leading with a game high of 28 points. NYIT was then able to take the lead and hold it for the rest of the half, but never leading by more than eight.

NYIT saw their biggest lead in the first minute of the second half. The Bears went up  by 11, again off a shot from long range, but this time from Kachi Nzerem. Coming off the bench, Nzerem was able to score 13 of NYIT's 29 bench points.  The Bears lead for the rest of the contest.

A Late run for the Redhawks
With under six minutes to go Roberts Wesleyan chiped NYIT's lead down to one point, but the Redhawks offense was unable to break through to the lead. The match heated up when Marcus Gooding created a one possession game by making both free throws. Fans were ready for the late comeback as the Redhawks were poised to take the lead; trailing only 74-76.

NYIT's Jahleel Feelix then missed his free throw and Tyrel Dixon was able to pick up the rebound giving Roberts Wesleyan the chance to tie or take the lead in less than 17 seconds. Things fell apart for the Redhawks with just seconds left, a missed shot, lost rebound and a foul put Roberts Wesleyan down by four to end the game.

Gooding Medieros and Dixon Score in Double Digits
Marcus Gooding led the Redhawks with 20 points, his offensive efforts also gave him three assists and two steals. Classmate Tyrel Dixon also helped out offensively adding 12 points. Dixon also posted six rebounds for the Redhawks.Senior Isaac Medieros put up 11 points and four rebounds. The three leading players also combined to score more than half of Roberts Wesleyan's points.