AMHERST, N.Y. -- For the second straight game, the Daemen University men's basketball team played a rematch of the 2026 NCAA Div. II East Region Tournament, and for the second straight game, the Wildcats came out on the losing end, tonight dropping their home opener of the East Region Challenge in a 63-62 heartbreaker to Saint Michael's. The Wildcats committed nine turnovers and turned 15 Saint Michael's turnovers into 14 points. Daemen starts 0-2 for the first time since the 2020-21 COVID season and snaps an 18-game win streak in the East Region Challenge, falling in their home tournament for the first time since 2015.
After Saint Michael's built a 10-0 lead early, the Wildcats got on the board with a jumper from
Nakyhi Harris (Buffalo, N.Y.) and cut the deficit to 10-6 on
Jaymeir Goosby's (Buffalo, N.Y.) dunk off Harris' steal and a pair of
Pat Rouse (Jackson Heights, N.Y.) free throws. The Purple Knights moved out to 21-15, but
Trevor Barrett (Cary, N.C.) scored in transition, Harris followed with a fast-break layup and Goosby tied it 21-21 on a layup off an assist from Harris at 2:57.
Jaiden Harrison (Buffalo, N.Y.) put the Wildcats ahead 25-23 with a jumper at 1:28 before Saint Michael's tied it at 25 but Harris hit a 3-pointer at :25 to give the Wildcats ahead 28-27 at halftime.
Daemen started the second half with baskets from Harris, Barrett and Rouse to move ahead 34-27, and Harrison's 3-pointer later pushed the advantage to 39-32. The lead reached 44-34 on Barrett's jumper and free throw at 12:55, but Saint Michael's worked back into the game and got within 56-55 a layup at 6:17 before Harris answered with a triple for the Wildcats. Saint Michael's moved in front 60-59 with 2:33 left, while Barrett made two free throws at 2:09, came up with a steal at 1:34 and Goosby added a free throw to put the Wildcats ahead 62-60. Late in the game, SMC's Greg Kenney hit a 3-pointer with 1:14 left to put Saint Michael's back ahead, and the Wildcats' final 3-point attempt missed as Saint Michael's held on for a 63-62 win.
IMPACT PLAYERS
- Harris shined for the Wildcats for the second straight game, leading the Wildcats in three factions (points, rebounds, assists), totaling 21 points after shooting 60-percent (9-of-15) from the field and 50-percent (3-of-6) beyond the arc while adding eight defensive boards, three assists and one steal.
- Barrett contributed 14 points, shooting 45.5-percent (5-of-11) from the field, adding two assists, one steal and one rebound.
- Rouse finished with eight points, one rebound and one steal.
- Harrison totaled seven points, adding two offensive boards, one block and one assist.
UP NEXT
The Wildcats return to Lumsden Gymnasium on Saturday for their second game of the East Region Challenge against the #3 Gannon Golden Knights at 2 PM.
