Live Stream

NEW YORK, NY -- The men's basketball team returned to the court on Sunday afternoon after opening day yesterday, but suffered an 84-81 loss to the Keystone College Giants at the Doghouse. John Jay falls to 0-2 on the season while Keystone improves to 1-1 on the year. 

The Giants fought to a 45-36 lead by halftime, but John Jay never quit. The Bloodhounds outscored Keystone 45-39 in the second half to bring the game to within one score with under a minute to play. After a clutch steal from junior Angel Rivera, he knocked down a free throw to cut the deficit to just one point with 16 seconds remaining. The Giants would hit both free throws after the ensuing foul, and John Jay was left with 13 seconds to try and tie the game. Three-point attempts from Rivera and freshman Bleron Lata at the buzzer did not fall, and Keystone hung on to earn the win. 

Sophomore Garrison Watkins led the Bloodhounds with 18 points in the game, and added four assists and three rebounds. Lata and Rivera were the other John Jay players in double-figures, with 14 points each. Sophomore Dan Kenny collected five rebounds to lead the Bloodhounds, and sophomore Mikhail Leston had a game-high five assists.

John Jay capitalized off turnovers all game, scoring 22 points off Giant miscues while Keystone only had 12 points off turnovers. The Giants outshot John Jay from the field, 59% - 47%.

The Bloodhounds have the week off and will return to the court next weekend in the NYU Tip-Off. The first game will be against Marywood University on Saturday at 7 p.m. in Brooklyn, NY.