Men's Basketball Lose to Blue Jays in a Close Conference Opener

CHICOPEE, Mass. - The Elms College Men's Basketball team hosted University of Saint Joseph, Conn. for their conference opener on Saturday afternoon at Picknelly Arena.

BASICS
Score: Elms College 53 | University of Saint Joseph, Conn. 62
Records: Blazers 6-8, 0-1 (GNAC) | Blue Jays 8-6, 1-0 (GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

The conference opener would begin with the two foes battling for the early lead, with Elms scoring on a layup by first year forward Jaedon Bogar (Aubrey, Texas) and senior forward/guard RJ Mayfield (Springfield, Mass.) adding a layup and a three-pointer, assisted by sophomore guard Jack Lo (Harahan, La.) and junior guard Andrew Ciaglo (Hadley, Mass.), to earn a 7-4 lead. The Blazers would continue to control the contest as Ciaglo would add a steal, followed by a tip-in by Lo, a Mayfield jump shot, and Bogar would block a layup attempt. The Blue Jays would look to gain the lead after scoring nine points, but during that span, Elms would continue to extend their lead, with a layup by Bogar, a three-point shot and a steal from Lo, and junior DJ Watkins (Union, N.J.) would make a jump shot. Then after a pair of steals by Saint Joseph, the Blue Jays would tie the game after a three-point shot and a layup, 18-18. As the first half would continue, the Blazers would keep themselves in the fight after Lo made a steal, Bogar added a pair of free throws, and a layup by Mayfield, assisted by senior forward Adam Sarlan (Chicopee, Mass.), but USJ would continue hold the edge over the home team, having a two point lead with under six minutes until the break. In the closing minutes of the half, Mayfield would add two layups, a tip-in, and a jump shot, a pair of free throws by Ciaglo, and a three-point play from first year guard Jamie Lawson (Charlotte, N.C.), and the two conference teams would go into the halftime break with a 35-35 tie.

The second half would see Lo make a tip-in, followed by Ciaglo recording a three-point shot and a steal that would lead to a layup by Mayfield. Shortly thereafter, Lo made a jump shot and Ciaglo would make another big three-point shot, after finding a pass from senior center/guard/forward Edgardo Jacob Cancel (Northampton, Mass.), to take a seven point lead. The Blue Jays offense would generate some offensive momentum and would take the lead, but the Blazers would not go away. Ciaglo would attempt a three-point shot, draw a foul, and make all three of his free throw attempts, followed by a jumper by Bogar and a Ciaglo three-point shot. Saint Joseph would score a three-pointer of their own during their next possession and would silence the Elms offense for a moment until Lawson would connect a pass to Cancel for a layup. As the clock began to wind down to its final minutes, the Blue Jays would continue to add to their lead, but the Blazers would see a tip-in and a layup from Mayfield, a pair of free throws by Ciaglo, and a jump shot from Watkins, but USJ would defeat Elms 78-65 in the first game of conference play of the 2025-2026 season.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Mayfield - 23 points, four rebounds, and a steal.

• Ciaglo - 16 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

• Lo - nine points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

• Bogar - eight points, six rebounds, and a block.

• Sarlan - six rebounds and two assists.

• Watkins - four points and three rebounds.

• Lawson - three points, two rebounds, and two assists.

• Cancel - three rebounds, two points, and an assist.

UP NEXT: The Elms College Men's Basketball team will return to Picknelly Arena for a conference game against Regis College on Wednesday, January 14th at 7 pm.

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