HOBOKEN, N.J. – Saint Joseph's College (4-8) past Ithaca College (2-8), 87-70, in Stevens Men's Basketball Holiday Tournament action at Canavan Arena on Saturday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Bombers carried a 44-42 lead into intermission and held their largest lead of the afternoon when Matthew Zenker connected on a three-pointer on their first possession of the second half, making it a 47-42 game 33 seconds into the latter half.
The Monks answered with an 11–4 surge—capped by a Pitia Donato (Portland, Maine) layup at the 15:01 mark—to take a 53–51 lead. Royal Blue then erupted with 15 unanswered points over a four-minute stretch to build a game-high 17-point cushion, 73–56, with 8:28 remaining. Shooting 7-for-8 during the burst, St. Joe's stayed in front by double digits the rest of the way.
STATS OF THE GAME:
Saint Joseph's was lights-out after halftime, shooting 66.7% (20-of-30) while clamping down defensively and holding Ithaca to 23.5% (8-of-34) from the floor, including 2-of-15 (13.3%) from three. The Monks controlled the second half from start to finish, outscoring the Bombers 45–26.
LEADERS – SAINT JOSEPH'S:
- Remijo Wani (Jr., Portland, Maine): 20 points – including 17 in the second half, 8 rebounds, 3 assists
- Davis Mann (Fr., Falmouth, Maine): 18 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
- John Paul Frazier (Sr., York, Maine): 18 points, 5 rebounds
- Wani Donato (Sr., Portland, Maine): 16 points, 10 rebounds in just 19:30 on the floor
- Silvano Ismail (So., Portland, Maine): 4 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals
LEADERS – ITHACA:
- Evan Cabral: 18 points
- Matthew Zenker: 13 points
- Jaylon O'Neal: 7 points, 5 rebounds
HISTORICALLY SPEAKING:
Today's matchup was the first-ever meeting between the Monks' and Bombers' men's basketball teams.
NEXT!
Saint Joseph's returns to the hardwood on Saturday, January 10th when the Monks host Mitchell College in the team's 2025-26 conference opener. Tip-off is set for 3:00 PM.
