CRESSON, Pa. -- Strong guard play sent the Mount Aloysius men's basketball team past the visiting Regent University Royals this Saturday, Nov 16, giving the hosts their first win of the season. 

The first half would open with back-and-forth play as both teams traded shots on similar efficiency, each spreading the offense inside and outside the arc. Guard Will Hagwood (Willowick, Ohio, South) found success on both sides of the ball, grabbing three first-half steals to go along with thirteen points. Tied going into the final 90 seconds of the half, two quick steals from the visitors would flip the score in their favor, putting Regent up four going into the break. 

The Mounties and the Royals would both come out of halftime fired up, with solid play keeping the separation in favor of Regent by two possessions. With thirteen minutes left to play, guard BJ Busbee (Cleveland, Ohio, Lutheran East) took control, scoring seven straight to even the score at 54-all. Hagwood and Busbee would score 47 of the Mounties 87 points for the game, adding in a combined nine rebounds and nine assists. Hagwood would put together another three steal half, ending the game with six as the Mounties held their opponents to just 16% perimeter shooting and 46% shooting from the floor. Forward De'Von Haggans (Harrisburg, PA, Central Dauphin) would also put together a strong performance, anchoring the hosts' defense while adding fourteen points and six assists. 

The momentum would fully swing the Mounties way in the closing five minutes, when Busbee was fouled on a made three to put the hosts up five. This lead would hold for the next four minutes, when Busbee would score the dagger on a 59th second three pointer to put his team up eight. Despite some scoring down the stretch, the deficit would prove insurmountable for the Royals, as the Mounties claimed the game 87-80.

The Mounties improve to 1-2 this season as they take to the road for an exhibition game against Division I Mercyhurst University. The Mounties return to regular season play at Wilson College on Nov 20. Wilson enters the contest 1-2 this season, coming off a 69-89 loss to Shenandoah University.