Men’s Basketball faces Saint Vincent in season-opener

LATROBE, Pa. --- Carlow University men's basketball opened the 2025-26 season with an 85-68 loss to Saint Vincent College on the road Saturday.

The Celtics outrebounded the Bearcats, 37-30, but St. Vincent scored 34 points off 23 Carlow turnovers on the night.

Adnan Sbai (Harrisburg, Pa./East Pennsboro Area HS) shot 8 for 18 from the field and led the Celtics with 19 points. Clayton Cook (Brookville, Pa./Brookville Area HS) added 11 points, eight rebounds and three steals, and Tomasi Pavihi (Wellington, New Zealand/St. Mary's Ryken HS/College of Marin) scored 10 points and recorded Carlow's lone block on the night.

The Celtics cut St. Vincent's lead in half five minutes into game before the Bearcats held Carlow scoreless for over six minutes to take a 25-6 lead.

St. Vincent outscored Carlow 13-10 the final seven minutes of the half to take a 43-20 lead into halftime.

The Celtics fared better in the second half, outscoring the Bearcats, 48-42, but it was too little, too late for Carlow to overcome the first half deficit.

Mike Iuzzolino led the Bearcats with a game-high 24 points, and two St. Vincent players recorded double figures off the bench.

The Celtics host Allegheny College for a 7 p.m. home opener Wednesday night at Oakland Catholic High School.