Brooklyn, NY---With four of five starters reaching double-figures in scoring, the Brooklyn College men's basketball team won its Season Opener this afternoon on the road at Valley Forge, 71-67.  The win is Head Coach Jeff Jean-Baptiste's first at the helm of the BC program.  Brooklyn hosts its Home Opener on Thursday, November 15th, against University of St. Thomas (MN).  Tip-off is set for 6:00 pm at the West Quad Center Gymnasium.  

In his first outing in maroon and gold, junior transfer forward, Jade Spencer, led the way with 14 points and nine rebounds for the Bulldogs.  Fellow starters Michael Tesoriero, Jordan Wright, and Alpha Bah notched 13 points each in the victory.  Tesoriero also found teammates for four assists and was a perfect 10-10 from the charity stripe.  The junior transfer, Wright, knocked down a team-high three three-pointers for the game.  

Trailing by as many as eight points in the second half, the Bulldogs went on an 8-0 run to tie the game, 54-54, with 8:53 left in regulation.  The lead would exchange hands for the next six minutes until Brooklyn scored six unanswered points capped by two Tesoriero free-throws with 1:45 left in regulation. UVF cut the BC lead to 69-67 after a three-point make with two ticks left in the game.  Tesoriero iced the game with one second left converting on a pair of free-throws.  

With neither team taking more than a two-possession lead in the first half, the Bulldogs would cling to a 31-30 halftime advantage following a Patriots' lay-in in the final minute before the break.  

Out-rebounded 38-29 for the game, the Bulldogs picked up extra possessions by forcing 18 Patriots turnovers to their nine for the game.  

UVF's Cody Collins scored a game-high 18 points on 8-15 from the field.  Sean Word had the game's only double-double finishing with 13 points and 22 rebounds.  

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