Box Score Riverdale, NY - The University of Mount Saint Vincent's men's basketball team kicked off their 2024 campaign on the road on Saturday, traveling to Pennsylvania to take on Delaware Valley University. The Dolphins battled closely with the Rams over the first half of action, but it was Delaware Valley who jumped out to a double-digit lead over the course of the second half. UMSV did their best to forge a comeback, but it was too little, too late, as they would drop the opener by the score of 76-67. 

The Dolphins had a strong, balanced attack over the first 10 minutes of half number one. The ball was moving early and often, with multiple UMSV talents getting on the board early. Each of James Mooney's five starters - Connor Wein, Kevin Agyemang, DJ Tucker, Adrian Rraci and Josiah Basket - registered points over the first 14 scored, giving the Dolphins a 14-8 lead at the 15:08 mark.

The bench picked up where the starters left off, with sophomore Alex Chi, as well as first-year talents Max DePina and Julian Alvarez, making their marks in a multitude of ways. DePina was specifically active on both ends of the floor, as the lanky freshman would disrupt the passing lanes while also finding his way into the paint, good for a five point, four board effort in the first half, which included a three pointer that would extend the Dolphins' lead to 13. 

The Rams, however, wouldn't go away, as their pest-like press would put the pressure on the Dolphins. Delaware Valley would continuously chip away at UMSV's lead, eventually regaining the edge with just over three minutes left in regulation. The home team would enter the break up 33-28. 

That momentum would carry into the second half. An early three-ball by Basket would tie things up at 33, but that would be as close as UMSV would get. Despite multiple efforts, the Rams would reach a double digit advantage for a majority of the half. 

The Dolphins would inch closer as time went on. With just three minutes on the clock, Agyemang would make his first free throw before missing his second. The guard, however, grabbed his own rebound and found a waiting Basket behind the arc, who would knock down his 13th point of the game to make it 69-64. The Dolphins would have a strong press of their own, but it was the Rams who would break out of traps to emerge victorious. 

Basket would impress in his collegiate debut with a team-high 13 points to go along with three boards and a steal. Agyemang would tie the freshman in points while also adding six rebounds, four steals, two assists and two blocks to his stat line. DJ Tucker would also finish in double digits in scoring (10 points) on four-of-seven shooting while bigs Rraci and DePina combined for 15 points and 10 rebounds. Basket, DePina, Alvarez, Eric Woodberry and Aidan McCahey all made their collegiate debuts as well. 

The Dolphins will look to regroup before traveling to nearby Lehman College on Wednesday.