Newburgh, NY -In a hard-fought home opener, the Mount Saint Mary College Knights clashed against Bard College in the first game of the Hudson Valley Tournament. Despite facing a challenging first half, the Knights showcased resilience, giving their fans an exhilarating second-half performance.
 
Coach Ryan Kadlubowski acknowledged the initial struggles, stating, "We dug ourselves a fairly big hole in the first half, and we had to battle in the second. Our guys did a great job getting themselves back into the fight; we just couldn't overcome the initial deficit."
 
The final score, Bard 75 - Mount Saint Mary 63, doesn't fully capture the Knights' determination to turn the tide. The home team faced a substantial deficit at halftime, trailing 44-22. However, a spirited comeback in the second half demonstrated their tenacity, outscoring Bard 41-31.
 
Key players for the Knights showcased their skills on the court. Jayden Figueroa led the team with 14 points and 11 rebounds, supported by Connor Cyran's 12 points and the Graham brothers (Brenden Graham & Ryan Graham) each adding 8 points. Despite the loss, the Knights displayed impressive teamwork and individual performances.
 
The Knights now shift their focus to the next game against Vassar College in the second leg of the Hudson Valley Tournament. Scheduled for tomorrow at 4 pm and hosted by SUNY New Paltz, the Knights aim to bounce back and secure a victory.
 
The stats tell a story of a team that fought hard, with a shooting percentage of 37.0%, including 26.3% from beyond the arc. While the outcome wasn't in their favor, the Knights' second-half resurgence leaves fans optimistic about the games to come.
 
As Coach Kadlubowski stated, "Our guys have shown they can battle back. We'll take the lessons from this game and come back stronger tomorrow."