LATROBE, Pa. (Dec. 31) – The Saint Vincent men's basketball team pulled out a thrilling 78-76 win over the Carnegie Mellon Tartans Wednesday afternoon at the Robert S. Carey Center, thanks to a clutch late drive and layup from sophomore guard Terek Crosby with under a minute to play.
 
The Bearcats improve to 7-4 overall and 2-0 in PAC play, while Carnegie Mellon falls to 7-3 on the season.
 
In a tightly contested game that saw 13 lead changes and nine ties, the Bearcats and Tartans traded momentum through both halves. Saint Vincent shot 52.8 % from the field (28-of-53) and drilled 11-of-18 from three-point range, but Carnegie Mellon stayed within reach, forcing the Bearcats to execute down the stretch.
 
After trading baskets late in the second half and the game tied after a missed Carnegie Mellon free throw, Saint Vincent worked the ball into Crosby's hands. The sophomore sliced into the lane and converted a contested layup that would ultimately stand as the game-winner, swinging momentum firmly back to the Bearcats in a spot-up contest.
 
Saint Vincent's offense was keyed by an electric night from Dev Ostrowski, who scored 18 points, making 5-of-11 field goals and 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. Ostrowski hit a career milestone in the game as well, scoring his 1,000th career point, becoming the 38th player in program history to hit the milestone.

Jevontae Jones added 17 points, going 6-of-8 from the floor and 2-of-2 from three, while Jaden Gales paced the team with 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting and flushed down timely buckets throughout. Terek Crosby finished with eight points and his clutch layup proved to be the deciding play.
 
Carnegie Mellon stayed competitive behind strong performances from Sam Adusei (17 points), Nikola Dimitrijevic (17 points) and Evan Mirazimi (15 points), but several late misses at the rim and a pair of key turnovers allowed Saint Vincent to hold on in the final minute.
 
After a first half that saw the Bearcats lead 38-35 at the break, both teams traded punches in the second half. Saint Vincent hit 8-of-11 free throws down the stretch to maintain its advantage, while Carnegie Mellon converted several difficult looks, setting the stage for the dramatic ending.
 
The Bearcats' defense also made key stops when it mattered most, and their 26 bench points helped provide depth and energy throughout the contest.
 
Saint Vincent will take this thrilling win into the New Year as it prepares for its next conference matchup on Wednesday, January 7 as they take on Franciscan. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.