Assumption Extends Late to Defeat Franklin Pierce, 71-58
64.3-percent second-half
shooting propels Greyhounds
WORCESTER, Mass. (January 22, 2008) – Assumption
College erased a seven point deficit five minutes into the second
half and posted a 71-58 victory over Franklin Pierce University in
Northeast-10 Conference men’s basketball action at Andrew
Laska Gymnasium tonight.
Assumption shot 64.3-percent (18-for-28) from the field in the
second half, including 5-of-9 (55.6%) from three-point range, while
Franklin Pierce connected on just 39.3-percent (11-for-28) from the
field over the final 20-minutes, including 2-of-10 (20%) from
beyond the arc. The Ravens 23 turnovers also resulted in a 20-10
Assumption scoring advantage in points off miscues.
Junior Patrick Shea (Salem, Mass./Salem) led Assumption with 18
points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field, including 2-for-4 from
three-point range, while converting 6-7 free-throws. He also added
six rebounds and three assists. Sophomore Courtland Bluford (Fort
Washington, Md./St. Vincent) added 14 points, four assists and
three rebounds, while senior Mike Foti (Franklin, Mass./Franklin)
chipped in 12 points, hitting 4-of-7 three-pointers.
Freshman Jeff Manchester (Gorham, Maine/Gorham)
led Franklin Pierce with 17 points, shooting 7-of-12 from the
field, including 3-for-5 from three-point range, to go with four
rebounds. Freshman Kinard Dozier (Dedham, Mass./The
Winchendon School) added 14 points, aided by 3-of-6
shooting from three-point range, three rebounds and two assists.
Junior Rimas Varanauskas (Kaunas, Lithuania/The Winchendon
School) chipped in seven points, six rebounds and four
assists.
Franklin Pierce used a 13-1 run over a six-minute span to turn a
three-point Assumption lead (19-16) with 8:50 left in the first
half into a game-high nine-point advantage (29-20) after two
free-throws from junior Tristan Shields (Mason, N.H./St.
Bernard’s) with 1:48 remaining. Dozier buried
back-to-back three’s to spark the run.
Franklin Pierce carried a six-point (29-23) lead into halftime and
quickly bumped it back up to eight (31-23) on an Adam
Dizuzzio (Fitchburg, Mass./St. Bernard’s) jumper
12-seconds into the half. The Ravens lead was seven (38-31) after a
Manchester drive with 15:47 to play, before Assumption began to
turn the tables.
A quick 10-0 spurt put Assumption in front by three (41-38) after a
Corey Diethorn (Pittsburgh, Pa./Sewickley) jumper with 11:46 left.
Franklin Pierce regained the lead (45-44) with 10:43 to go, after
two Manchester jumpers, but Assumption reeled off a 12-0 run to
take the lead for good (56-45) with 7:05 left. Shea and junior
Mitch Bajema (Whitinsville, Mass./Christian) each canned
three-pointers during that stretch. The Greyhounds lead grew to as
much as 15 before settling on the final 13-point score margin.
Franklin Pierce (6-12, 2-11 NE-10) continues its three-game road
trip on Saturday against The College of Saint Rose at 3:30 p.m. The
Ravens don’t return home until Tuesday, February 5, when they
host Bryant University at 7:30 p.m. Assumption (15-5, 9-4 NE-10)
travels to Saint Anselm College on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.