• Box Score

OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. (Nov. 19, 2011) - Senior Jahari McKnight (El Sobrante, Calif.) tallied a team-high 14 points but it was not enough as NYIT men's basketball was edged 67-64 by Holy Family Saturday afternoon at Recreation Hall. With the loss, the Bears dropped to 1-3 on the season and the Tigers improved to 3-0.

Twelve of McKnight's 14 points were scored behind the arc. Additionally, junior transfer Azel Prather Jr. (Glenarden, Md.) grabbed his first double-double of the season with 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Rounding out the Bears top scorers was junior Dominic Scurry (Ozone Park, N.Y.), who had 12 points and led the game with five assists and two steals. 

For the Tigers, Khiry Hankins had a game-high 18 points.

The game started slow as both teams were held scoreless for the first five minutes. The Tigers broke through the silence with a layup by Richard Council. But NYIT responded with the first of four three pointers from McKnight's to take a 3-2 edge with 15:20 to go. NYIT held on to the advantage and pushed its lead to nine points 15-6 with 10:40 remaining. However, Holy Family began to chip away at the gap and brought the score within one 17-16 on a free throw by Angel Ayala with 6:23 on the clock. The Tigers continued to push and converted a three-point play to earn a 19-17 advantage. Holy Family held on to the lead and ended the first half 24-22. 

The second half was closely played with the score tied twice and the lead changing six times. The Bears quickly knotted the score 24-24 on a layup by Prather Jr. just 10 second in. But a three-pointer by Alberto Munoz started a Holy Family rally that would put the Tigers up by seven points 41-34 with 13:50 remaining. Yet, NYIT continued to fight. A 12-3 run by the Bears put them in control once more 46-44, but it was short lived. The two teams then exchanged baskets and the lead for the next three minutes before Holy Family pulled away for good. The Tigers went on to win 67-64 on free throws from Munoz. 

The Tigers out-shot the Bears 41.4% to 38.6% but NYIT held a 40-37 rebounding margin. 

NYIT returns to action on Tuesday, Nov. 22 when it hosts Caldwell in non-conference play. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Recreation Hall.