Sparkill, N.Y. - Five Spartans reached double figures in scoring, as the St. Thomas Aquinas College Men's Basketball team captured an 84-76 victory over Caldwell University on Tuesday evening at Aquinas Hall Gym.

STAC moves to 4-1 on the year, while Caldwell suffers its first defeat of the season and falls to 3-1.

James Patterson led the way for the Spartans, posting 18 points and 10 rebounds, while teammates Ethan Millirons (14pts), Rich Smith (13 pts), Kyle Pulliam (11pts) and Luis Risquez (11pts) also recorded double-digit point totals.

STAC shot 39.2 percent from the field (29-74), while Caldwell shot 43.7 percent (31-71) from the floor.

STAC NOTES AND HIGHLIGHTS:

• Eight Spartans logged double-digit minutes in the contest. 
• Kyle Pulliam and Zion Ruckard led the maroon and gold with three assists apiece on the evening.
• James Patterson made 7 of his 19 field goal attempts, while Ethan Millirons went 4-for-5 from the floor.
• Caldwell out-rebounded STAC by a 51-47 margin, with Patterson grabbing a game-high 10 boards for the Spartans.
• St. Thomas Aquinas picked up 12 steals, with the Cougars turning the ball over on 22 separate occasions.
• The Spartans earned advantages in two team statistical categories over Caldwell: Points off Turnovers (20-10) and Bench Points (37-30).
• The game featured nine ties and 12 lead changes.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• An early 4-2 advantage thanks to a Rich Smith free throw and a Jamal Barnes three, quickly disappeared with a Caldwell trey, as the visitors took a 5-4 lead.
• Kyle Pulliam, Rich Smith and James Patterson then racked up six straight points to put STAC back in the lead, 10-5.
• The Spartans and Cougars traded baskets over the next three minutes with the Spartans building an 11-17 advantage. However, four straight points by Caldwell cut the deficit to just two at 17-15 with eleven and a half minutes to play before halftime.
• Another 10-2 streak by the maroon and gold, with James Patterson, Ethan Millirons and Kyle Pulliam all hitting their shot to make it a 27-17 game for STAC.
• Caldwell reduced its deficit to just three, 35-32, but five straight points by Shaun Arnold and Ethan Millirons in the closing seconds of the half extended the Spartans lead to 40-32 at the break.
• Ethan Millirons posted 11 points in the first half for STAC, while Darnell Evans lead all scorers with 14 points for the Caldwell.
• A 14-2 streak by the Cougars to open second half action, flipped the scoreboard at 46-42 with 15 and a half minutes left in regulation.
• STAC battled back with Luis Risquez, Ethan Millirons and Zion Ruckard all scoring to help the hosts regain the lead, 49-48.
• Back and forth action between the sides highlighted most of the middle portion of the half, with neither team being able to extend their lead to more than three points. 
• Caldwell held a one-point advantage (69-68) with six and half minutes left, but STAC rattled off eight straight points courtesy of Kyle Pulliam, Luis Risquez, Rich Smith and Jamal Barnes over the next two and a half minutes to hold a 76-69 lead.
• Unfortunately, the Cougars were able to pick up seven straight points themselves to tie up the game at 76-76 with a shade under two minutes to play in the contest.
• One final 8-0 run by the Spartans, with Vasilis Tolias, Rich Smith, James Patterson and Luis Risquez all making the most of their opportunities down the stretch, sealed the victory for the home squad.

UP NEXT:

STAC returns to action on Saturday, November 25 (5:00 p.m.), facing off with Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the IUP Thanksgiving Tournament.