STANDISH, Maine -- Bates College men's basketball dropped a hard-fought 69–67 decision at Saint Joseph's College of Maine on Saturday afternoon, closing non-conference play with a 12–2 record (14-4 overall).

Playing its third straight game without leading scorer Babacar Pouye (ankle injury), Bates controlled much of the first half and carried a 37–31 lead into the break. The Bobcats used a late first-half surge to create separation, closing the opening period on a 6–0 run capped by an Aidan Lawlor basket just before the buzzer.

The Monks (9-8) responded out of halftime, gradually chipping away before taking its first lead of the second half (43-41) 4:34 into the period. Bates proceeded to fire off a 10-2 surge, capped by a Lawlor three-pointer at the 12:11 mark, to create another six-point cushion, this time at 51-45.

Saint Joseph's answered with a decisive push, using a 16–6 run to flip the game and go ahead 61–57 with 6:06 left. The Bobcats battled to the final possession. Brady Coyne (team-high 14 points) buried a three with 1:08 left to pull Bates within one, 68–67, but Saint Joseph's sealed the game at the free-throw line in the closing seconds.

Peter Psyhogeos, Sean O'Leary, Lawlor (career-high) each poured in 12 for the Bobcats. Three Monks eclipsed the double-digit mark, paced by Wani Donato with 22 points in the win.

Bates now turns its focus back to NESCAC play, returning home Friday night to host Williams College at 7:00 p.m.