Ravens squander career-high 34 point effort by Kwity

COLCHESTER, Vt. (January 21, 2002) - Five Saint Michael's College players reached double-figures, led by sophomore Ben Smith's double-double, to defeat Franklin Pierce, 89-79, in Northeast-10 Conference men's basketball action at the Ross Sports Center tonight.

Smith totaled 20 points, aided by a four-for-six night from three-point range, and ten rebounds (four offensive) to lead Saint Michael's. Sophomore Delbert Randall added 19 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two blocks, while senior Tunde Adekola totaled 18 points, six boards and two steals.

Franklin Pierce squandered a career-high 34-point effort by junior V.J. Kwity (Torrance, Calif./West) as the tri-captain hit 11-18 from the field, including 4-6 from three-point range, and 8-10 at the free-throw line for the night. Kwity also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds, dished four assists and snared two steals.

Trailing 24-22 with 8:53 to play in the first half, Saint Michael's used an 11-0 run to take its largest lead of the half (33-24) with 4:17 to play in the stanza. Smith sparked the run with six points.

The Ravens cut the deficit to three points (39-26) by halftime and in the second half pulled ahead by four points on two occasions. With Franklin Pierce holding a 53-49 lead with 13:06 to play, Smith canned a three-pointer and was fouled by Franklin Pierce senior Zvonko Ilic (Nis, Yugoslavia/K.K. Student). Smith drained the free throw and Saint Michael's took the lead for good with back-to-back baskets by Randall with 11-minutes to play.

The Purple Knights lead grew to 12 points after an Adekola lay-up with 2:02 to play and SMC hit all five free-throw attempts down the stretch to seal the win.

Rounding out the double-figure scorers for Saint Mike's were senior Anthony Scott and junior Will Witcher with 14 points apiece. Scott also dished four assists, while Witcher grabbed eight boards and four steals.

Sophomore Derek Rodgerson (Newburgh, Maine/Hampden Academy) added 14 points, four rebounds and three assists for Franklin Pierce while senior Kevin Scott (Mississauga, Ontario/Iona Catholic) chipped in ten points, six boards and two blocks.

Franklin Pierce (9-8, 6-7 NE-10) returns home for the first time in over two weeks when it hosts Saint Anselm College on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. Saint Michael's (9-7, 6-7 NE-10) travels to Southern New Hampshire University on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.