Newburgh, NY- Tonight the Mount Saint Mary College Knights took on the Purchase College Panthers.  A game that was full of potential.  A send off for the Mount Seniors, a chance to spoil the Purchase hopes of a playoff berth, and most importantly a chance for a young man to have one last moment.

The game started off with a ceremony honoring the seniors of the team and two special guests.  The Knight Nation let the seniors feel nothing but love as they were called to the center of the gym with their friends and family.  
Here are the members of the team that were honored and their accomplishments.

#11 Zack Swaby:
6'1 Forward from Cornwall, NY.  Was a 4-year member of the Men's Basketball program and graduated with a business degree in 2022. He played 3 seasons, due to COVID, and planned to enroll in the 5-year MBA program to finish his playing career.   Instead, he accepted a job with the NBA as a Stats Auditor.  Zack is now currently working for Panasonic Management in the "Rising Star Program".   Zack appeared in 55 games and scored 105 career points and had 56 rebounds.    

"Zack was a great teammate and played with maximum effort and passion.   He would bring energy and enthusiasm each and every day and when called upon, he always found a way to contribute to the team anyway he could." 

#0 Miles Calame 
6'1 Guard from Staten Island, NY.  Miles is a 5-year member of the Men's Basketball program and will graduate this spring with a degree in Visual Communications and Graphic Design.  Miles has played 4 seasons, appearing in 71 games, starting 2, and currently has 143 career points 69 rebounds and 29 assists.

"Miles earned his way into our program and has become an extremely valuable player over his career.   He has been asked to play multiple positions, he is the programs swiss army knife, someone who is always willing to do whatever is necessary to help his team."

#24 Elijah Barnett    
6'6 Guard from New York, NY.   Eli is a 2-year member of the Men's Basketball program and will graduate this spring with a degree in Business Management and administration.  He has appeared in 39 games starting all of them.   Last season he was the second leading scorer after averaging 11.2 points per game.  Had a career high of 21 points this season in a win at Manhattanville.  He currently has 391 points, 162 Rebounds, 63 assists and 42 steals.  
"Eli has made a tremendous impact on our program since he arrived last year.   He is always trying to improve and learn to make himself the best player he can be, for his teammates.  He has sacrificed a lot to join our basketball family and has given everything he has to this program each and every day.   We can't thank him enough for everything he has done."

#20 Jayden Racca-Captain
6'4 Forward from New Fairfield, CT.   Jayden is a 4-year member of the men's basketball program and will graduate this spring with a degree in Public Relations and Journalism.  Jayden who has been named a team captain the past two seasons has appeared in 70 games over his 3-year playing career, and started 12 games.  He currently has 366 Career Points, 166 Rebounds, 50 assists, and countless charge attempts!  He has shot 35% from 3pt during his career with a career high 16 points last season vs Manhattanville

"Jayden is the exactly type of person that any program would love to have.  He gives 110% every second on the court and in the classroom, he pushes himself and his teammates to be the very best versions of themselves.   Jayden sets the tone every day as a captain, and his impact on our program goes well beyond any stats he accumulates.  

#4 Chris Yearwood-Captain
6'0 Guard from Red Hook, NY.   Chris is now a 5-year member of the men's basketball team and has earned his bachelor degree in Sports Management and will graduate this spring with his masters in Business Management and Administration.  Chris is currently working for the NBA as a Stats Auditor in Basketball Operations. He has interned with the Hudson Valley Renegades and the NY Yankees.  Chris was named a captain for the 2022-2023 season.  Unfortunately, due to injury this season, he was unable to play…until today!  Chris has appeared in 68 games, starting 43 of them and was the team's leading scorer in the 2021-2022 season at 14.2 points per game.  Had a career high of 26 points vs Sarah Lawrence in 2022 and currently has 557 career points, 140 rebounds, and 104 assists.  He is a career 35% 3pt shooter and shot 40% from 3pt during the 2021-2022 season.  
"I am so happy that we can give Chris a proper and well-deserved Senior sendoff.   He played through pain last season and gave this program literally everything he physically had, until he could give no more.  He has been a leader to everyone in this program, and I can't thank him enough for all he has given and continues to give to this program and to all his teammates."

Chris Yearwood was told, you get a couple of possessions, make the most of them; he didn't hesitate.  The team was hyped to Chris the opportunity to have his moment.  The very first possession of the game Chris took his shot. From the very top of the 3-point line, not missing a beat from where he left off a year prior.  Boom.  The crowd erupted.  This was his moment, his chance to leave the game the way he deserved.  A few minutes later Chris was subbed out of the game and received the sanding ovation he rightly earned during his career.  

Thank you seniors, and thank you Chris for your unwavering dedication to the Mount Saint Mary College Men's basketball team.

The game was a tight affair throughout, with neither team leading by more than seven points. Purchase held a 37-33 advantage at halftime, but the Knights came out strong in the second half, taking a 54-49 lead with just over eight minutes remaining. The Panthers battled back to tie the game at 66-66 with two minutes left, and the score remained tied until the final seconds.

With the clock winding down and the Knights down 72-73, Elijah Barnett (12 points, 5 rebounds) received the ball he drove to his right and rose for a contested layup, banking the shot off the glass and through the net as the buzzer sounded. The entire Mount Saint Mary College bench erupted in celebration as the Knights secured the thrilling victory.

"This was a great way to end the season," said Head Coach Ryan Kadlubowki. "Our guys showed a lot of heart, and they never gave up. We're really proud of the seniors for their leadership and contributions to the program."

The win marked the Knights' third victory in their last four games and snapped a three-game losing streak to the Panthers. With the win, the Knights finish the season with a record of 8-17 overall and 6-10 in the Skyline Conference.
Highlights:
•    Elijah Barnett hit the game-winning layup with 0.1 seconds remaining.
•    The Knights overcame a halftime deficit to secure the victory.

This game ends the Men's Basketball season for the Knights.  Thank you to the Mount Community for your year long support!