14.3-percent first half shooting sinks Ravens

RINDGE, N.H. (January 12, 2008) – Southern New Hampshire University posted a 62-42 victory over Franklin Pierce University in Northeast-10 Conference men’s basketball action at the Fieldhouse this afternoon.

Junior Troy Bowen (Nashua, N.H.) led Southern New Hampshire with 22 points on 7-of-15 shooting from the field, including 5-7 from three-point range, converting all three free-throw attempts to go with seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocked shots. Senior Sam Carey (Manchester, N.H./Central) posted a double-double with 13 points, hitting 6-of-8 shots from the field, to go with 11 rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Junior Gerald Carter (Harlem, N.Y.) added ten points, four rebounds and two assists, while freshman Corey Vejraska (Alachua, Fla./Bridgton Academy) chipped in eight points and seven boards (five offensive).

Sophomore Terrell Ray (Brooklyn, N.Y./Fort Hamilton) led Franklin Pierce with a career-high 22 points, shooting 7-of-11 from the field to go with an 8-10 effort at the free-throw line, five rebounds and two blocked shots. Junior Rimas Varanauskas (Kaunas, Lithuania/The Winchendon School) added seven points and ten rebounds.

Southern New Hampshire scored the first ten points of the contest (five by Carey) and held a 21-3 lead after a Carey lay-up 8:10 into the game. Bowen scored 17 of his team-best 22 points in the first half as the Penmen took a 31-14 lead into the break.

Franklin Pierce made just 4-of-28 (14.3-percent) shots from the floor in the first half, including 1-for-9 (11.1%) from three-point range, and never recovered. Both teams turned the ball over 20 times on the day, but SNHU enjoyed a 30-10 advantage in points off miscues.

Franklin Pierce finished shooting 25.9% (15-58) from the field, including 2-of-18 (11.1%) from beyond the arc. Southern New Hampshire finished shooting 40% (20-50) overall after making 46.2% (12-26) in the first half.

Franklin Pierce (5-10, 1-9 NE-10) returns to action on Wednesday when it travels to Le Moyne College with tip-off set at 7:30 p.m. The Ravens return home next Saturday to host Stonehill College at 3:30 p.m. Southern New Hampshire (7-7, 4-6 NE-10) visits Bryant University on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.