Brooklyn, NY --- The Brooklyn College Men's Basketball team opened its 2013-2014 season against the preseason #1 team in the country according to D3Hoops.com, Amherst College, on Saturday afternoon at the West Quad Center. The Bulldogs dropped a 96-78 decision to open the season at 0-1, while the Lord Jeffs open the year at 1-0.

Amherst, the defending national champions, started the game on a 6-0 run, as the Lord Jeffs shot 51.4% (18-for-35) from the field in the first period to take a commanding 50-33 halftime lead. The Bulldogs, by contrast, shot just 28.6% (12-for-42) from the field in the first half to aide in their deficit.

BC improved its shooting performance in the second half, going 16-for-35 (45.7%) from the field; however, Amherst continued its strong offensive play, shooting an identical 51.4% (18-for-35) from the field again to keep the Bulldogs at arm's length.

For the game, Amherst outscored Brooklyn 54-30 in the paint and also scored 18 points off of 11 BC turnovers.

For the Bulldogs, sophomore Egzon Gjonbalaj led all scorers with a game-high 21 points, to go along with seven rebounds, while junior Jai Kellman filled up the stat sheet with 19 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Sophomore Jamel Gist also dropped 19 points, to go with six rebounds, while junior Valon Djombalic finished with 13 points and five rebounds.

The Lord Jeffs had six players in double figures, as Aaron Toomey, the reigning national player of the year, scored a team-high 18 points to go with six assists. Tom Killian recorded a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds, to go with six assists, while Connor Green added 16 points. David George also finished the game with a double-double with 14 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Joseph Mussachia (11 points and eight rebounds) and David Kalema (10 points) rounded out the top scorers for Amherst.

Brooklyn returns to action this Tuesday, November 19th, as the Bulldogs will welcome the Scarlet Raptors of Rutgers-Camden to the West Quad Center. The non-conference game is scheduled for a 6:00 pm start time.