PHILADELPHIA – The USciences men's basketball team made a late push and actually outscored Holy Family in the second half, but the Devils could not overcome a slow start in a 55-45 loss at the Tigers on Wednesday night. 

University of the Sciences scored just eight points in the opening 17 minutes, allowing HFU to establish a 24-8 lead after the Tigers ended an 8-0 run just 3:08 ahead of the break. 

Holy Family took a 28-14 advantage into the locker room and scored the first three points of the second half to build a game-high 17-point lead, 31-14, before the Devils finally made a push back within single digits, 34-25, on Javon Gordon's layup with 8:58 to play. 

HFU responded with the next four points though, re-establishing the double-digit advantage - and eventually another 17-point - lead that remained until two Jordan Davidson free throws with just 32 seconds left. 

Omari Salvi led all players with 13 points and was one rebound shy of Sean Simon's and Zachary Foley's team-high seven boards.

The seven rebounds were a career-best for both, with Simon also finishing in double-figures with 10 points. 

Joemel McNair was the only other Devil to score more than four points, as he finished with eight. 

Gordon had three boards, two points, and team-highs of two assists and two steals. 

USciences won the turnover battle, 19-11, and also grabbed a season-best 40 rebounds, but the Devils could not overcome 21.5 percent shooting (14-of-65). 

University of the Sciences returns home for the first time in over three weeks next Tuesday, hosting city-rival Jefferson at 7:30 p.m.