WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The Dean College men's basketball team was defeated in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament quarterfinal round by the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) on Wednesday evening by a final score of 92-79.

With the loss, the Bulldogs' season comes to an end. The #2 Blue Jays will advance to the semi-final round to face #3 Albertus Magnus College.

How it Happened:
-The Blue Jays opened the contest with an 11-0 run, featuring scores from Deivone Tanksley Jr. and Friedrich Feldrappe. Dean broke the chain with a three-point conversion from senior guard Xavier Rubio (San Diego, Calif.)
-Dean rallied back towards the midway point of the opening half. They scored nine of the next 12 points, including consecutive baskets from guards Christian Yeates (Atlanta, Ga.) and Naser Motley (Everett, Wash.).
-With less than ten minutes to-go in the half, Dean cut into the Blue Jays' lead again. They now trailed by just seven points (23-16).
-USJ climbed back into a ten-point lead with five minutes to play in the half. Alijah Lovelace drew a foul on Moussa Berete (Richmond, Va.), eventually converting on both free throws. The Blue Jays now led 37-27.
-Rubio closed out Dean's first-half scoring with another deep three-point shot. However, the Bulldogs trailed USJ going into intermission, 46-33.
-The Bulldogs came out of the locker room with a mission. The team started the second half with an 8-2 run which included six consecutive points. Xavier Boyd (Loganville, Ga.) sliced through the Blue Jay defense, scoring all six points in the unanswered run.
-Boyd continued to propel the Bulldogs back into the game. With 13 minutes remaining, Boyd drew a foul on Roel Figueroa. He eventually scored on both his free throws, bringing the deficit to just three points.
-However, USJ planted their footing and regained control of the ballgame. After Boyd finished at the free throw line, the Blue Jays went on an 11-3 run, putting them back up by eleven points (64-53) with under nine minutes to play.
-The run didn't stop there. The Blue Jays continued the attack, eventually extending their leading margin to 18.
-Dean attempted a comeback in the final minutes with quick scores from Motley and Rubio. However, the damage had already been done. The Blue Jays held on to take the win by a final score of 92-79.
 
Standouts:
-Yeates (29 Points, 6 Rebounds, 3 Steals, 2 Assists)
-Motley (18 Points, 5 Rebounds, 4 Assists, Steal)
-Boyd (14 Points, 4 Rebounds, 2 Assists)
 
With the loss, men's basketball's season has officially concluded. For more information on the 2026-27 season, please stay tuned on deanbulldogs.com.
 
For Media Inquiries:
Brett Chaves
Sports Information Director, Dean College Athletics
(508) 541-1826
BChaves@dean.edu