BUFFALO, N.Y. – Making their 2023-24 season home debut, the D'Youville University men's basketball team took Wheeling University to their limits but fell in an 82-76 battle Tuesday evening at the College Center.
 
The Saints (0-3) were led by Trayton Trice (Romeoville, Ill.) with a double-double, scoring 15 points while grabbing 10 rebounds (5 offense, 5 defense). Chase Jenkins (Titusville, Fla.) had 13 points while Luke Theisen (Lake View, N.Y.) and Nasir Hammonds (Norfolk, Va.) each chipped in with 11 points. Hammonds was also active on the boards, grabbing eight rebounds (3 offense, 5 defense).
 
DYU jumped out to an early 6-2 lead in the first four minutes of play, powered behind five points from Mason Putnam (Prattsburgh, N.Y.) who converted an and-one opportunity and knocking down a jumper. Wheeling battled back and tied the game at 11-11 with Caleb Murray knocking down a shot with 12:36 left in the first half.
 
The Cardinals were able to ride that momentum to take a 38-24 lead into the break.
 
Wheeling was able to keep applying the pressure in the opening minutes of the second half, gaining a lead by as many as 16. D'Youville kept their poise and got on a 12-0 run to make it a 51-47 game with 12:55 left in regulation. During the run, Hammonds led the way with four points while Trice knocked down a three-ball off the dish from Nelson St. Louis (Port St. Lucie, Fla.).
 
The Cardinals were able to take back control of the game, gaining a 65-55 lead after a made free throw from Sean Ealy with under nine minutes to play. Once again, the Saints were able to respond and chip away at the deficit, making it a two-point game with just over two minutes left at 75-73 thanks to a pair of jumpers from Hammonds and Jenkins.
 
DYU was able to keep it a two-possession game but a pair of free throws late from Ealy helped the Cardinals get the win.
 
The Saints went 21-for-60 (35 percent) from the floor and 30-for-45 (66.6 percent) from the free throw line. The Cardinals went 28-for-62 from the field and 17-for-19 (89.5 percent) from the free throw line.
 
DYU held the advantage on the glass, grabbing 44 rebounds to Wheeling's 37 boards. The Saints also took advantage of the fast break, scoring 14 points to the Cardinals' four points.
 
The Saints will be back in action this Sunday, November 19th, as they host #25 Mercyhurst University at 2 p.m.