OAKDALE, N.Y.-  The Dowling College men’s basketball team suffered their first East Coast Conference loss 63-58 to St. Thomas Aquinas College this afternoon at Dowling Gymnasium.  The Golden Lions fall to 3-6 on the season, 2-1 in ECC action.  The Spartans jump to 3-5 overall, 1-1 ECC.
 
Junior Evan Maxwell recorded his second straight double double with 10 points paired with 14 rebounds.  Senior Darien Davis finished in double digits with 10 points as freshman Tristan Brown knocking down a team high 11 points.
 
STAC was led by Justin Reyes who came off the bench with a double double of 15 points and 11 boards.  Chaz Walter added 15 points of his own with three steals and two assist. 
 
After the Spartans took a slight 33-30 lead into the break, both sides exchanged baskets to open the second half.  At the 15:44 mark, Maxwell sparked a 9-1 run for the Golden Lions giving them their largest lead of the night, 45-40.  STAC responed pouring in the next eight points swaying the score back in their favor, 48-45, midway through the half.  The Golden Lions tied the game up using a Davis layup with just under six minutes to play, but the Spartans’ Walter went coast to coast on a Dowling turnover putting STAC ahead, 54-52, and they would hold the lead down the stretch for the 63-58 win.
 
As a team, the Golden Lions finished with a 34.9 shooting percentage with the Spartans knocking down 42.9%. 
 
The Golden Lions return to Dowling Gymnasium as they host NYIT Wednesday, December 17^th.  Game time is set for 7:00 PM.