BOSTON - Hosting the Emmanuel College Tip-Off Classic to open the 2025-26 campaign, the Saints men's basketball program led by as many as 13 in the second half, but were unable to hold back an offensive surge by the Baruch Bearcats, as the Saints start the season with an 85-83 loss on Friday night from Yosinoff Court.

The home side led for the majority of the game, looking in firm control of Friday's opening game of the schedule, thanks to a 15-5 run over the span of 3:54, giving the Saints their largest lead of the second half, 65-52, with 11:31 remaining.

Baruch started their comeback immediately, needing only 3:43 to erase the Saints lead. Led by the nine points of Peter Douvres, the Bearcats used a 16-2 push in under four minutes to grab a 68-67 lead with 7:48 to go. The visitors pulled further away with the use of a 12-2 spurt, giving the Bearcats their largest lead of the night, 77-69.

All totaled, from the Saints largest lead of the second half until Baruch's eight-point lead with 5:08 remaining, the Bearcats outscored Emmanuel 25-4 over a 6:23 span.

Emmanuel wouldn't fold to the pressure of the Bearcats, as they quickly cut the deficit down to one possession in the final minutes. Trailing by two with under 15 seconds remaining, the Saints forced a turnover at midcourt, as the ball rolled out of bounds, giving the Saints the last shot while trailing 85-83.

On the ensuing play, the Saints drove into the paint and hit an on-target pass to junior Mahari Guerrier on the right wing. Guerrier's open look missed the mark, as a loose ball rebound allowed time to expire, giving Baruch the two-point win on opening night.

For the Bearcats, Leyi Adebayo finished with a team-high 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Jack Gordon chipped in with 18 points on 7-for-13 from the field, while Douvres added 15 points for John Jay.

Saints junior Noah Beaudet opened his season with a career-high 28 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including 4-for-5 from beyond the arc. First-year Danny Adams started his career with 23 points in just 19 minutes, shooting 9-for-13 from the field. 

The Saints return to play on Saturday, Nov. 8, with their second game of the Emmanuel College Tip-Off Classic, a 5:00 p.m. tip with John Jay.