UPDATE: Calumet St. Joseph forfeited this contest due to playing an ineligible student-athlete. The contest now counts as a win for Roosevelt.

Whiting, Ind. - The Roosevelt University men's basketball team battled tooth-and-nail for 40 minutes with host Calumet College of St. Joseph on Wednesday night only to come up on the short end of a 59-50 decision to the Crimson Wave in the season debut for both teams.

Junior Paul Tometich led the Lakers, posting a double-double with team highs of 13 points and 12 rebounds. Junior Julian Sykes also scored in double figures with 10 points.

Wilfredo Escobar paced CCSJ with a game-high 16 points.

The score was tied 38-38 midway through the second half, but a 9-0 Crimson Wave run gave the home team what looked to be an insurmountable lead with just over five minutes remaining.

The Lakers wouldn't quit, though, battling back to within 51-49 with two minutes remaining following a driving lay-in by freshman Mykyta Cheshko. CCSJ followed with a back-breaking three-pointer by Alantae Crawford and would hit its free throws down the stretch to hold off the Roosevelt rally.

Head Coach Joe Griffin's crew will look for their first win on Saturday when the Lakers open their home schedule by taking on Trinity International at 3:00 p.m. at the Keating Sports Center.