New York, NY - The John Jay men's basketball team, looking to start 3-0 for the first time since 2011-12, was pitted in a back-and-forth, offensive-laden contest featuring nine lead changes.
 
The Bloodhounds staged a 14-7 run over the final 5:14 but couldn't complete the comeback as they dropped an 80-76 decision in their home opener on Wednesday evening.
 
John Jay falls to 2-1 on the season, while the Hawks earned their first win.
 
Four Bloodhounds finished in double-figures as reigning CUNYAC Player of the Week; Syl Granda and Jamir Stewart each tallied 14 points on a combined 8 of 17 from the floor. Granda finished 7 of 13 from the free-throw line, while Stewart hit 4 of 5 from three-point range in 21 minutes.
 
Keyshawn Miller netted 13 points, seven of which came from the free-throw line while pulling down a team-high eight rebounds and three steals. Isaac Holmes was the fourth Bloodhound, finishing with 12 points, all coming from the outside.
 
A.J. Knight netted a game-high 25 points on 8 of 15 while going 6 of 6 from the free-throw line. In 33 minutes of action, Knight connected on 3 of 6 from the outside while grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out four assists.
 
Ethan St. Lucia registered a double-double, finishing with 18 points and a game-high 11 rebounds while adding three blocks. Lucas Seyoum contributed 12 points and three blocks.
 
Both teams opened the contest by trading baskets before the visitors claimed a 10-4 lead following a three-pointer from St. Lucia at 15:55. Stewart commenced his scoring prowess, hitting a triple from the left wing after TJ Chisolm drove the paint and found Stewart. This basket ignited a 16-2 run by John Jay over the next five minutes, in which they built the lead to 20-12, capped by an Omar Calderon layup in the paint off the feed from Chisolm.
 
John Jay connected on 60.0 percent from the field during this run while limiting the Hawks to just one made basket, a layup from Knight, in seven chances. New Paltz came soaring back in the later portion of the half, utilizing a 16-7 run of their own in taking a 28-27 lead after Trevor Amalfitano drove the paint and converted on the layup.
 
During this run, New Paltz hit 6 of 13 from the field and 3 of 5 from the outside while limiting the Bloodhounds to just 3 of 11, with Granda and Holmes scoring the seven combined points.

Stewart continued to be the catalyst for the home team, hitting another three-pointer, this time getting the pass from Richar Frias as John Jay took a 30-28 advantage with 2:26 remaining in the first half.

St. Lucia started to find his range from the outside, hitting on a triple as New Paltz regained the lead at 31-30, with 2:05 showing on the game clock. Stewart netted his team-leading 11th point of the stanza on a driving layup after Frias found him for his third helper of the night, giving the home team a slim 32-31 edge.
 
Knight converted on a three-pointer that gave the visitors a slight lead before Miller converted on a pair from the free-throw line that knotted the game at 34 as both teams headed for the locker rooms.
 
In the opening stanza, the Bloodhounds shot 40.0 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from three-point range while holding a 24-20 edge on the boards. The John Jay bench was highly effective in the opening 20 minutes, scoring 19 of the 34 points while hitting 16 points inside the paint.
 
When play resumed for the second half, Evelyn made a pair from the line and added a layup on the fast break off the feed from Isaac Holmes, as John Jay led 38-34.

New Paltz regained their composure, racing out on a 24-8 run over seven minutes, upping the lead to 58-46, as Seyoum and St. Lucia each had six points while the team hit on 10 of 15 from the field and 4 of 6 during this stretch.
 
Granda made one of two from the line to stifle the burst and helped start an 11-5 run, capped by a three-pointer from Holmes, cutting the Hawks lead to five, 63-58.  Knight made six free throws, increasing the Hawks lead to 69-58 with 8:10 left on the court.
 
Over the next 6:40, the Bloodhounds staged a valiant comeback, using a 14-7 run to trim the deficit down to 76-72, following a pair of made free throws from Granda.
 
With just five seconds left to go and the Bloodhounds trailing, 80-74, Granda drew the foul beyond the three-point arc.
 
Granda misfired on his three chances, with Miller grabbing the offensive rebound and calling timeout. Chisolm scored the final point of the contest as New Paltz held on to spoil the home opener in front of a boisterous crowd.
 
The Bloodhounds shot 39.3 percent from the field and 50.0 percent for the game. John Jay held a 44-41 edge on the glass.
 
The Bloodhounds will head to Fairfield, CT, to square off against Division I member Fairfield in an exhibition. Tipoff is slated for 7:00 pm at Leo D. Mahoney Arena.