Men's Basketball defeated in physical game against Brescia (Ky.)

PITTSBURGH --- Carlow University men's basketball lost a tough, 80-58, River States Conference contest to Brescia (Ky.) University at Donahue Pavilion Thursday.

PITTSBURGH --- Carlow University men's basketball lost a tough, 80-58, River States Conference contest to Brescia (Ky.) University at Donahue Pavilion Thursday.

Both teams saw athletes suffer injuries that resulted in players being helped off the court throughout the course of the night, in a physical game that played out in favor of the defensive-minded Bearcats (8-4, 5-3 RSC).

The Celtics (1-18, 0-8 RSC) struggled with Brescia's full-court press, but the Bearcats scored just 19 points off turnovers despite forcing Carlow into 29 throughout the game.

Byron Gaskins and Isaiah Stein hit three-pointers early to give Carlow a marginal lead, but the Bearcats went on a 16-2 run that offered them an advantage they would not relinquish the remainder of the game.

Carlow committed 17 turnovers in the first half, but only trailed by 14 at intermission.

The Celtics got to within 11 points of tying the score in the second half, but a 23-9 run in the final 10 minutes of regulation pushed Brescia's lead to 26.

Gaskins hit two of Carlow's five treys and led the Celtics with a season-high 18 points and three assists.

Stein recorded the remaining three-pointers and tallied 15 points and two steals on the night.

Tay Smith led all scorers with 20 points.

Brescia scored over twice as many second-chance points and outscored the Celtics, 34-13, off the bench.

The Celtics totaled eight blocks, while the Bearcats held a slight 46-40 margin in rebounds.

Carlow hosts Oakland City (Ind.) University for a 3 p.m. RSC game Saturday.