CRESSON, Pa. — Mount Aloysius delivered one of its most encouraging first-half performances of the season on Saturday afternoon, but a strong second-half push from the visiting opponent swung the momentum as the Mounties fell 77–66 at the Athletic Convocation & Wellness Center.
The Mounties opened the game with exceptional rhythm, shooting 51.6 percent from the field before halftime and knocking down four threes to build a 37–31 advantage at the break. Crisp ball movement created a steady flow of high-percentage looks, and Mount Aloysius controlled much of the early action through balanced scoring and confident perimeter play.
Troy Tinch (Baltimore, Md., Calvert Hall) paced the Mounties with an assertive offensive showing, finishing with 18 points and three made threes as he consistently found gaps in the defense. Donovan Bass-Briscoe (Alexandria, Va., Hayfield) turned in one of the team's best all-around performances of the year, posting 17 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists while facilitating the offense and battling on the glass.Ignacio Nascimento-Zschaeck (Barcelona, Spain, Springfield Commonwealth Academy (Mass.)) added 12 points on efficient shooting, continuing his recent stretch of reliable scoring, and Senique Jenkins (Columbus, Ohio, Imani Christian ) contributed eight points with strong interior touches that helped Mount Aloysius establish early control. Brandon Waters (Clear Brook, Va., James Wood) provided an important lift off the bench, adding five points and connecting from deep to maintain the Mounties' first-half momentum.
The second half took on a different tone as the visiting team intensified its pressure and turned defensive stops into transition opportunities. While the Mounties continued to generate solid looks, the opponent capitalized on offensive rebounds and physical interior play, finishing with 35 total boards and turning 10 offensive rebounds into 13 second-chance points. Mount Aloysius, meanwhile, saw several key possessions slip away at the free-throw line, finishing 5-for-9 compared to the opponent's 23 made attempts.
Even as the visitors mounted their comeback, Mount Aloysius continued to battle. Bass-Briscoe and Tinch kept the offense steady, and the Mounties' ball movement remained a strength, with 15 assists on 27 made field goals. But the opponent's ability to generate interior scoring and maintain composure down the stretch ultimately created the separation needed to withstand the Mounties' final efforts.
