Munch named Player of the Game after scoring eight of 21 points in overtime

CALDWELL, N.J. (December 22, 2007) – Franklin Pierce University edged Dominican College, 87-84, in overtime on day one of the ECAC/Commerce Bank Holiday Classic, hosted by Caldwell College, at the George R. Newman Center this afternoon.

Junior guard Timothy Munch (Blauvelt, N.Y./Storm King Prep) scored eight of his 21 points in overtime and earned Player of the Game honors for his efforts. Freshman Jeff Manchester (Gorham, Maine/Gorham) netted a season-high 21 points for the Ravens, making all five of his three-point shots, while sophomore Terrell Ray (Brooklyn, N.Y./Fort Hamilton) had 16 points and seven rebounds in the win. Sophomore Marcus Wellman (Monroe, Conn./Hamden Hall) chipped in ten points and seven boards.

Dominican was led by Jonathan Guzman’s 18 points, with Tim Matchett and Brandon Brock scoring 14 points apiece. All three players came off the bench for the Chargers.

Franklin Pierce seemed to have the game in hand with a 67-57 lead with 5:25 left in regulation, but Dominican converted eight straight free throws to pull to within 67-65 with just over three minutes to play. After a jumper by Munch at the two-minute mark, Matchett hit two free throws to make the score 69-67 with 1:41 on the clock.

On the next possession, Matchett grabbed a rebound off a missed Ravens field goal attempt, and then gathered two offensive rebounds on the other end, drawing a foul on the second. Matchett made both free throws with 29-seconds left to tie the game at 69-69. Both teams missed attempts on their final possessions to send the game to overtime.

The Ravens led by as many as six points in overtime, with Munch scoring four points in the first 2:30. A three-pointer by Brock brought Dominican to within 83-81 with 26-second left, but Munch hit all four of his free throw attempts down the stretch to clinch the win.

Franklin Pierce (4-6, 1-6 NE-10) faces hold Caldwell College to close out the Classic tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m. Caldwell fell to Southern New Hampshire University in today’s second game, 73-61. Dominican (2-4) will play Southern New Hampshire at 2 p.m.