SPARKILL, NY – The College of Staten Island men's basketball team resumed their East Coast Conference matchup with St. Thomas Aquinas College on Wednesday evening, finishing in a down-to-the-wire 108–105 loss. CSI entered the resumed contest trailing 62–51 at halftime and outscored the Spartans 54–46 in the second half, but their rally ultimately fell just short. 

Play picked back up with STAC leading 5–0 and 18:31 on the first-half clock. CSI got on the board when Mitchell Wiggan scored inside to make it 5–2. Momentum swung the Dolphins' way after a key block by Asa Kone sparked a fast-break bucket for Brandon Torres to tie the game at 17. Moments later, a three-pointer from Eric Tynes gave CSI its first lead, 21–19. Torres and fellow rookie Andrew Benedict pushed the advantage to 24–19 before the Spartans responded, reclaiming the lead and eventually going up by as many as 12. STAC carried a 62–51 lead into halftime. 

CSI mounted its strongest push after the break, but each run was met with an answer from the Spartans. With under 10 minutes remaining, a powerful dunk from Kone cut the deficit to 92–87, giving the Dolphins renewed energy. CSI eventually became the first team to reach 100 points, with another Kone jam putting them ahead 100–99, their final lead of the night. STAC closed strong, however, handing CSI the narrow 108–105 defeat and dropping the Dolphins to 1–1 in ECC play. 

Six Dolphins scored in double figures. Tynes led all scorers with 21 points and shot 50% (4–8) from three. Aaron Goldstein and Kone added 20 points each, with Kone also contributing nine rebounds and two blocks. JJ Chestnut recorded 14 points and seven assists, while Torres and Benedict chipped in 13 apiece. 

CSI (6–4, 1–1 ECC) returns to action Saturday in Washington, D.C., to face the University of the District of Columbia at 3:30 PM. 

GAME REPLAY