Standish, ME - The Saint Joseph's College men's basketball team pushed the #21 nationally-ranked Bates squad to the limit before falling 89-80 last night. GR Chad Pulkkinen (Windham, ME) scored a game-high 27 points in 40 minutes of action, but the Bobcats withstood a late run to hold off the upset-minded Monks.

The first half was marked by five lead changes with the Bobcats (12-2) taking a 27-22 lead after a trey by JR Pat Halloran (Plymouth, NH) at 7:06. Pulkkinen scored nine points in the final 6 minutes of the half and SO R.J. Mattison (Hamden, CT) drilled a three-pointer to pull the Monks to within 2, 42-40, at the break.

SR Marcus Alexander (Niceville, FL) tied the game at 42 with a basket to start the second half. Pulkkinen put the Monks up 57-51 with a three pointer at 13:17, but the Bobcats responded with a 9-0 run to take a 60-57 lead at 10:10.

A dunk by SO Elbie Murphy (Loudonville, NY) cut the lead to one and St. Joe's went up after a shot by Alexander at 9:27.

The teams were deadlocked at 69 with 6:23 to go and Bates went on an 8-0 run to go up 76-69. Murphy brought to Monks to within 3, 80-77, after a basket and a free throw with 31 seconds to go.

The Bobcats made 8 of 9 free throws down the stretch to the secure the win.

Halloran led Bates with 24 points and 3 other players (Bryan Wholey 14pts, Zak Ray 14 pts, Rob Stockwell 12 pts) recorded double digits for the Bobcats.

Murphy finished with 19 points and Mattison had 9 points for St. Joe's.