Danbury, CT - The Albertus Magnus College Men's Basketball team dropped a hard-fought game to host Western Connecticut State University 103-99 on Monday night.  The game marked the first game of the second semester for the Falcons and featured both teams battling for the lead all game.

The Falcons used a three point basket at the end of the first half by senior guard Walden St. Juste (Hartford, CT/Bulkeley) to take a 50-47 lead into the break.

The game continued to go back and forth until Western CT State moved ahead 70-63, threatening to run away with the lead.  The Falcons responded with a 9-2 run capped off by junior guard Alex Munizs's (Bridgeport, CT/Notre Dame) steal and assist to sophomore guard James Economopoulos (Wallingford, CT/Lyman Hall) to tie the game at 72-72 with 12:24 remaining.

With just under 30 seconds remaining in the game and the Falcons trailing 102-96, freshman forward Darius Watson (New Britain, CT/New Britain) swished a three pointer to cut the lead to 102-99 with 21 seconds remaining.  Following an Albertus foul, Western CT made one of two free throws with the Falcons now trailing 103-99.  Albertus couldn't convert their three point attempt resulting in the 103-99 final score.

Albertus was led by junior forward Ray Askew (New Haven, CT/Career) and his game high 36 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks.  Watson added an impressive 25 points on 10-14 shooting despite just 17 total minutes due to foul trouble.  St. Juste chipped in 16 points and five assists for the Falcons.

Western CT State was led by senior forward Wilburr Jarrett (Hartford, CT/Hartford Public) and his team high 23 points and seven rebounds.  Junior forward Gary Robinson (Torrington, CT/Hotchkiss) added 22 points and a team high nine rebounds.

The Falcons drop to 4-4, 2-0 GNAC while Western CT State improves to 10-1, 2-0 LEC.

Albertus hosts Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opponent Norwich University on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 pm to open GNAC play in the second semester.