Kinard Dozier explodes for an impressive 25 points and 17 rebounds

BOXSCORE

RINDGE, N.H. (February 9, 2010) – The Franklin Pierce University men’s basketball team picked up an important and impressive 79-72 win over Saint Michael’s on Tuesday in The Fieldhouse in Rindge. The Ravens (11-12, 6-12 Northeast-10) avenged an early season loss to the Purple Knights (9-13, 5-13 NE-10), as they pulled out a 92-86 win in Colchester, Vt. back on Nov. 24.

Junior guard Kinard Dozier (Dedham, Mass.) had a remarkable effort in helping to lead the Ravens to victory. He notched a double-double with an eye-popping 25 points and 17 rebounds, while also swiping three steals. Thirteen (13) of Dozier’s 25 points came at the foul line where he converted a solid 13-of-15 attempts. He was 5-of-8 shooting from the floor, including going 2-for-3 from behind the arc. His 25 points moved him to 996 for his career as he now stands just four points shy of reaching 1,000 for his career. He will have the opportunity to reach the career milestone on Saturday at Saint Anselm (3:30 p.m.).

Two other Ravens scored in double-figures, including senior forward Terrell Ray (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and freshman guard Eric Jean-Guillaume (Stamford, Conn.), who had 14 and 11 points, respectively. Jean-Guillaume also had six rebounds, five assists, one steal and a block. Ray had five boards, two assists and one theft.

Franklin Pierce out-rebounded the Purple Knights by a large margin of 47-30. That advantage led to the Ravens owning a commanding 33-10 edge in second-chance points. They also shot a solid 43 percent (29-of-68) from the field, as most of those baskets were converted in the low post. Franklin Pierce’s ability to score inside was evidenced by the fact they outscored Saint Michael’s, 44-26, in the paint.

Three Purple Knights scored in double-figures, including Derek Knutty, who had a team-high 24 points. Qua’ron Pinckney and Sam Cieplicki followed with 13 and 11 points, respectively.

The Ravens stormed out the gates and quickly took a 9-0 lead two-and-a-half minutes into the contest. Ray had four points during the run, while senior Marcus Wellman (Monroe, Conn.) dropped in a trey and Dozier added a layup.

Freshman guard Curtis Christian (Bronx, N.Y.) laid in a basket later in the half to make it 21-9 Franklin Pierce, but the Purple Knights responded with back-to-back threes from Cieplicki to pull within 21-15.

The Ravens then took a 30-17 lead with 8:13 remaining in the half after a layup from Jean-Guillaume. However, Saint Michael’s went on an 8-0 run over the next two minutes to get within five at 30-25. Pinckney aided the surge with four points.

The teams traded baskets the rest of the half as Franklin Pierce took a 39-31 lead into the locker room at halftime. Ray led all scorers with 10 points in the first 20 minutes.

The Ravens, just as they did in the first half, opened the second half on a strong offensive surge and eventually built a 56-43 lead with 11:32 remaining. Six different Ravens scored during that opening offensive flurry.

The Purple Knights wouldn’t fold and slowly chipped away at their deficit, eventually pulling to within 60-55 with 7:42 to go after Knutty drained a jumper.

Franklin Pierce, again, opened its lead back out to 13 at 68-55 with 3:38 to go following a triple from Wellman. However, Saint Michael’s responded and pulled to within five at 75-70 with just 27 seconds remaining.

This time, though, Franklin Pierce had an answer and the Purple Knights could not provide a counter point. Dozier went a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe in the final seconds to put the game out of reach and not allow Saint Michael’s to creep any closer.

The Ravens return to action Saturday when they travel to Manchester to face Saint Anselm at 3:30 p.m. Fans who cannot attend the game can follow it online via live stats through the team’s page at athletics.franklinpierce.edu(.)