Riverdale, NY - The College of Mount Saint Vincent's men's basketball team dropped their second non-conference contest in as many games when they took on Whittier College in a back and forth affair on the Peter Jay Sharp Center court. James Mooney saw three of his top offensive threats reach double figures, as Joshua Cabezudo and Kevin Agyemang recorded 16 points apiece while DJ Tucker finished right behind the pair with 15 of his own. 

The loss puts the Dolphins at 1-3 overall to start their 2023-24 season with a pivotal Skyline Conference matchup on the horizon. 

The Dolphins came out firing on both ends of floor, leading to the team jumping out to an early 8-0 lead. Tucker got things going for his squad, as the Boynton Beach, Florida native picking up four points, an offensive board and a steal over that span. Ball movement and a stingy zone defense kept CMSV ahead over the first 10 minutes of the first half, with the lead reaching as many as nine.

The Poets, however, brought the momentum back in their favor. The visitors utilized a full court press, which erased their deficit and brought the score to a tie at the 8:17 mark. From there, both sides traded leads for the remainder of the half, with score  at 39-37 in favor of the Dolphins at the break. 

Once again, the Dolphins kicked off the half hot. Agyemang, Tucker, Adrian Rraci and Haven Smith all scored to push the team's lead to seven. The Poets, meanwhile, remained in the game with clutch free throws and timely three pointers. Agyemang did his best in the waning minutes, scoring a layup and a three pointer in ensuing possessions to make it a two point game, but CMSV couldn't regain the lead before time expired. 

Tucker was all over the stat sheet with 12 boards, three assists, three steals and a block in addition to his point total. Cabezudo added nine rebounds of his own. 

The bench also chipped in a strong effort, as Brian Rawlings and Jalen Smith combined for 12 points while first year Dolphin Louis Vidal chipped in five points in his collegiate debut. 

CMSV will open conference play this coming Tuesday when Yeshiva University makes their way to Riverdale.