For Immediate Release: November 3, 2004
Contact: John Hartrick
Phone: 607-777-6800

Binghamton mens basketball falls to St. Rose 82-76 in exhibition opener

Box score
Post-game quotes
Photo Gallery

VESTAL, N.Y. - Visiting St. Rose opened up an eight-point halftime lead and held off Binghamton 82-76 in a men's basketball exhibition game Wednesday in front of 2,535 fans at the Events Center. The Division II Knights, who dressed just one player taller than 6-foot-5, matched the Bearcats on the glass, and converted 18-of-25 free throws - including 10 in the final 2:26 to seal the win.

Senior forward Adonist Barber led four St. Rose players in double figures with a game-high 24 points on 10-for-15 shooting. Junior guard Terrance King added 12 points, and senior forward Terry George and freshman guard Steve Dagostino added 11 points apiece.

The Bearcats were led by sophomore guard Troy Hailey (Hyattsville, Md.), who nailed 9-of-12 shots for a team-high 23 points. But the remainder of BU's backcourt managed to connect on only 3-of-24 shots. Senior center Nick Billings (Kodiak, Alaska) contributed 15 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks in 30 minutes. Senior forward Billy Williams (Milwaukee, Wis.) and senior center Joe White (Winsted, Conn.) chipped in 10 points apiece.

The Bearcats jumped out to an 11-point lead midway through the first half before St. Rose closed the half on a 26-7 run to forge a 39-31 margin at the break. In the second half, BU used a 12-3 run to take a 64-61 lead with 8:10 remaining. Hailey hit a pair of three-pointers to spark the run, and Williams added a pair of jumpers. The Golden Knights reclaimed the lead for good on a Dagostino three-pointer with 4:35 remaining, which put St. Rose ahead, 69-66. The visitors made just one field goal over the final 4:35, but sank 10-of-12 foul shots to hold off any late BU rally.

"The fans tonight didn't really get a sense for how hard we've been practicing and how good we will be," head coach Al Walker said. "We need to concentrate on our leadership and toughness. We didn't get much determination from groups out there tonight. It was a very uncomfortable feeling - duplicating last year with poor passing and turnovers. We need to take care of the glass before we concentrate on scoring. This will be a good learning experience as we move into the season."

Binghamton plays one more exhibition game next Monday against Brockport before opening the regular season at Michigan in the first round of the NIT on November 15.