Buffalo, NY - The first game of the new year saw the D'Youville Men's Basketball Team fall to the visiting Hamilton Continentals by the final score of 68-58. 

As the game got underway, it appeared that it would be a close battle between the two teams in the College Center Gym. Sharing the lead at 6 different points in the first half, both teams played a strong offensive game. With 7 different lead changes, it was an equal battle in the first 20 minutes. After the final horn sounded in the first, the score was 27-25 with the Spartans down to the visiting Continentals.

Hamilton began the second half of play and started to pull away from the Spartans. Leading 41-32 with under 15 minutes to play, Hamilton seemed to have a hold on the game. However, D'Youville's offense came to life as they scored 10 unanswered points to retake the lead at 42-41. 

From the 9:42 mark when the game was tied at 44 all, the Continentals outscored D'Youville 24-14 to win the game by the final score of 68-58. The Spartans would not get within 3 points of Hamilton after 6:13 left in the game.

"We played a quality team with a decided height advantage and held our own, especially on the boards," said fourth year Head Coach Earl Schunk.

"Their height bothered our shooters on the perimeter and we were unable to cash in late opportunities we had," Schunk continued.

Last season's leading scorer, junior Marcus Clarke (Olean, NY/Archbishop Walsh Academy) led the Spartans with 15 points. Second on the team in rebounds for the game, Clarke tallied 5 and added a steal.

Coming off a triple-double against Houghton, senior Julian Reed (Cheektowaga, NY/Union-Endicott) scored 13 points to go along with his 8 rebounds. Reed blocked 5 shots, a team high. Freshman Zach Blask (Portville, NY/Portville) had a team high 7 points off the bench along with 2 rebounds and a steal.

Looking forward to the remainder of the season, Coach Schunk said that "this was a great final non conference opponent for us to play."

Schunk continued by saying "we will be ready for the second half of our conference schedule because of this."

The Spartans will head back into conference action on Wednesday, January 7th at 8pm at Medaille.