Spartans Beat NYIT, 67-60

The St. Thomas Aquinas men's basketball team beat NYIT, 67-60, in last night's contest.  Akeem Comas drained two three pointers in the final three minutes of play to break a 53-53 tie and lead STAC to a tough win on the road.  Comas finished with eleven points including a perfect 3-3 from behind the arc.  The Spartans have clinched the fifth place spot in the playoffs and a win at home on Saturday gives them an opportunity to move to fourth place in the ECC.

Ra'Shad James hit a long three at the buzzer to give the Spartans a 32-26 lead going into the break.  James finished with twelve points on 5-10 shooting and 2-4 from behind the arc.  NYIT rallied back in the opening minutes of the second half coming within one point, 32-31 before STAC pulled off an impressive 14-1 run putting them ahead 46-32 with 12:57 remaining.  However, the Bears would not go quietly as they chipped away at STAC's lead eventually tying the game (53-53) with a layup by Anthony Clarke with 3:20 to go in the game.  After Comas broke the tie with his back to back three's, fellow senior Chris Williams hit a jumper to give them an eight point advantage and NYIT was forced to foul.  Williams was 4-4 from the line and finished the game with twelve points.  NYIT was led by Carl Kindborg and Bryant Lassiter who scored eighteen and fifteen points respectively.

The Spartans will face Molloy College at home on Saturday.  Saturday's game will represent senior day for the Spartans who will honor their eight seniors.