Men's Basketball 2/17/2024 2:56:00 PM

Fighting Spirit Not Enough: Men's Basketball Team Falls to Saint Elizabeth

Men's Basketball went on the road in their biggest game of the season Saturday February 17th, taking on Saint Elizabeth University in the First Round of the United East Playoffs! The Patriots held strong throughout and competed possession for possession with their opponent up until the final whistle until they eventually dropped the game 77-89.

Saint Elizabeth took a 4-15 lead after just over 4 minutes into the 1st half. The Eagles kept this double digit lead until late in the 1st half before multiple fouls on Keyshawn Kennedy and Dashawn Goodine brought the Patriots back into the game, cutting the lead to 7 with just over 4 minutes to go. A layup by Jaden Caesar at the 3 minute mark and a massive three by Jeremiah Daye brought Valley Forge within 2 points, 34-36. Free throws on the next play by Dashawn Goodine brought the game to a deadlock before Saint Elizabeth pulled away on a jump shot and layup to take a two possession lead. The Patriots continued to brawl which brought the score to 40-44 going into the half. It only took 2 minutes before we tied the game at 46-46 off of two free throws by Jaden Caesar and a jumper by Keyshawn Kennedy. Saint Elizabeth pulled away once again and a three at the 16 minute mark brought the lead to 7. Field goals cut the lead down to 2 thanks to Quinton Renigar and Nasir Bernard jumping into the mix. The Patriots just could not pull back out in front as the Eagles answered back every time they made a run. Jeremiah Daye did his best to put the team on his back with a free throw, jumper, and layup mix to tie the game at 65 apiece with 7:30 remaining. An unfortunate turnover turned into back-2-back layups by Saint Elizabeth to put them back out in front once again. With under 5 minutes to go the Eagles took off, going up by 8 and then stretching that to 12 two minutes later. Our Patriots ran out of time with the game ending in a 12 point deficit.