Claremont, Calif. - The Pomona-Pitzer Men's Basketball team fell behind 23-5 in the first 12 minutes, came back to tie, but fell just short in a 58-53 loss to Saint Joseph's (Maine) on Tuesday afternoon at Voelkel Gymnasium. 

With the win, the Monks improve to 4-3 on the season, while the Sagehens slip to 2-7 with its sixth straight defeat, all of which have been by single digits (including three that came down to the wire).

After falling behind 23-5, the Sagehens were able to clamp down on defense for the remainder of the half, and pulled within 27-21 at the break on a back-to-back three-pointers from senior guard Kyle McAndrews and freshman guard Hunter Lowry.

Lowry then scored 11 straight Pomona-Pitzer points in the second half on three three-pointers and a 15-foot jumper to bring the Sagehens all the way back to even at 43-43 with 9:09 to play. Zach Blodgett broke the tie for the Monks with a shot in the paint, and Steve Simonds hit a tough three-pointer from the left wing over the outstretched hand of senior guard Adrian Brandon to push the lead back up to five. 

Quinn Richardson-Newton had a key basket on a back cut with 1:47 to give the Monks a six point lead at 53-47, but the Sagehens were able to make it interesting late, as a Gibson Farone-Collins three-pointer with 19 seconds left made the score 55-53. Saint Joseph's split two shots at the line, and Lowry had a three to tie with eight seconds left that hit high off the rim, came down and hit off the rim a second time before bouncing off and falling into the hands of Blodgett, who was fouled and sealed the win with two foul shots. 

Simonds had a big day for Saint Joseph's with 24 points on 5-11 shooting from three-point territory and 9-9 at the line. Senior guard Kyle McAndrews had a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds (all defensive) while Lowry and Farone-Collins each had 14 points. 

Pomona-Pitzer is back in action on Saturday when it begins SCIAC play with a road game at Occidental.