Cresson, Pa - The Mount Aloysius Men's Basketball team outscored Pitt Bradford 42-16 in the first half of Saturday's Senior Day Game on their way to a 24-point victory.

The day started with a ceremony recognizing two players that are graduating later this spring. Senior Josiah Jones (Gaithersburg, MD/Magruder) has played for the Mounties the past two seasons and has started all 48 games in that time. Jones has averaged over 9 points and 4 rebounds per game and recorded 2 double-doubles. Tommy Pisula (Scottdale, PA/Southmoreland) is a sophomore who is graduating with an Associates Degree before moving on to Pre-Pharmacy School next year. Pisula has also started all 48 games since becoming a Mountie. He has been a tough inside presence for the Mounties who has averaged over 7 points and rebounds per game. He has shot 51% from the field in his two years.

The Mounties strong defense led them to a early lead. After the teams traded early baskets, Mount Aloysius held the panthers scoreless for a 11 minute, 19 second span. In that time the Mounties scored 26 straight points. They hit 6 three pointers including three from Carlos Palacio (Bilbao, Spain/Phelps School) two from Jones, and one from Trent McErlane (Greenville, PA/Greenville). Pisula, Julian Stover (Washington, DC/Richard Montgomery) and Imil Britt (Johnstown, PA/Greater Johnstown) also made baskets in the span. After Pitt-Bradford was able to cut slightly into the lead, the Mounties closed the half with threes from Palacio and Stover and a Pisula layup at the buzzer.

Early in the second half the Panthers were able to get the lead back to 21 points, however a quick 11-0 run put the Mounties up 32. Palacio scored the first 4 points on two free throws and a slam dunk. Jones finished the run as her threw down a dunk of his own, made a layup inside and hit a three from the wing. The 32 point lead would be more than enough for the Mounties who withstood a late Bradford push to hold on for a 24 point victory.

Carlos Palacio led the way, scoring an efficient 16 points. he made 5 of 9 from the field including 4 of 5 from three. He also added 2 free throws. Jones scored 15 points on his Senior Day, while also pulling down 9 rebounds. Pisula hit all 4 shots he attempted to finish with 8 points and grabbed 6 rebounds of his own. 

The win moves the Mounties to 13-10 on the season with a 10-6 record in AMCC play. The are currently the #3 seed for the upcoming AMCC Tournament. They will return to action on Wednesday when they host L aRoche College at 8:00 PM. In their first meeting, the Mounties stayed with the top team in the conference, but were unable to hold on late and fell 71-62.