GLENSIDE, Pa. - The Arcadia University men's basketball team had a gutsy 76-72 win over Salisbury University in the Knights Tip-Off Tournament finale on Sunday afternoon. Da'kquan Davis led the squad with a game-high 27 points, while Kishan Patel was sensational off the bench with 11 points while shooting 4-for-6 from the field.

The Knights fell behind early in the contest, but climbed back into the game with a phenomenal first half from Patel, who played 33 minutes off the bench. The senior's energy was instrumental in the Knights ability to stop the bleeding early and carry momentum into halftime. In addition to his offensive productivity, Patel took two charges and came away with one steal in a solid defensive effort. 

Davis took over in the second half with a dominant performance. After he was held to two points in the opening stanza, the reigning MAC Commonwealth Player of the Year bounced back with 25 points in a resilient second half. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Salisbury jumped out to an early advantage with a 13-3 run to open the game. Patel, who subbed into the game with 13 minutes remaining in the half, helped capture momentum and inject energy into the Knights rotation. While trailing 21-11, Patel began to chip at the Sea Gulls lead with a three pointer to cut the lead to single digits. Following a monster block by Jalen Watkins, Davis provided the Knights with a quick fast break bucket to pull within five points.

- Later in the opening half, Patel drilled back-to-back three balls to pull within one point, 25-24. Moments later, Justin Money tied the game with a three pointer, while Watkins gave the Knights their first lead with a foul shot. Salisbury would end the second half with only a four point lead.

- After giving up a three ball to open the second half, Arcadia responded with a 7-0 run, which was capped off by a Davis three pointer. Following a couple Salisbury runs, Davis helped bring the Knights back into the game with two free throws to knot the game at 55-55. With 8:22 remaining on the clock, Money captured the squad's first lead of the half with a timely three pointer. Steve Pendleton and Davis then answered with a layup, respectively, to take a five point lead, which marked Arcadia's largest advantage of the afternoon.

- Davis was outstanding in his role as the Knights' closer. After Salisbury retook the lead with 4:09 remaining, Davis buried a deep three ball to give Arcadia a two point advantage. Davis scored 10 of the Knights last 12 points, including several clutch free throws to seal the victory.

KNIGHT LEADERS
- Points: Davis 27, Money 12, Patel 11
- Assists: Davis 3
- Rebounds: Derr 8
- Blocks: Watkins/Derr 2
- Steals: Pendleton 3

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Although both team had 14 turnovers, the Knights outscored their opponent 11-3 on points off turnovers. 
- Salisbury made three more deep balls than the Knights, but were bested in the paint - where the Knights outscored the Sea Gulls 32-28.
- Free throw differential played a key factor into the Knights victory. Arcadia shot 18-26 (69.2%) from the charity stripe, while Salisbury was a troubling 3-7 (42.9%).

UP NEXT
Arcadia (2-0) returns to the hardwood at Susquehanna University on Tuesday at 7:00 PM.