RINDGE, N.H. (December 3, 2014) – The Franklin Pierce University Ravens men's basketball team shot a total of 24 percent from behind the three-point line on Wednesday night, including a missed three-pointer at the buzzer to win the game by senior Paul Becklens (Boston, Mass.) to drop a heartbreaking 74-72 loss to rival Southern New Hampshire University Penman. Southern New Hampshire rode the back of senior Elijah Bonsignore, who recorded a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds, along with three blocks and a pair of steals in the win.

With the loss, the Ravens lose their first conference game and drop to 5-3 overall (2-1 Northeast-10) while Southern New Hampshire improves to 4-2 (3-1 Northeast-10).

The Penman controlled the game out of the gate, jumping out to a big lead that got up to 21 points toward the end of the first half. The Ravens could not make a shot drop throughout the game, where they shot just over 39 percent from the field, 23 percent from three-point land, and only 50 percent from the free throw line all in the first half. Southern New Hampshire rode a comfortable 15 point lead into the locker room at the half with a score of 44-29.

Franklin Pierce came out of the locker room with a little more step in their game, however still had trouble finding the hoop from the outside. However, after the Penman got a quick basket to start the second half, the Ravens were able to cut the Southern New Hampshire lead from 17 to nine in just under four minutes. A combo of sophomore Donte Gittens (Hartford, Conn.) and freshman Mike McDevitt (Cumberland, Maine) combined for two baskets apiece along with a 3-point play from senior Ryen Vilmont (Philadelphia, Pa.) to bring the score to 51-42. With the Ravens still trailing, both teams would continue to jostle between a lead no larger than 13 until five minutes to go in the game.

A pair of free throws by junior Jacob Jacquo (New Britain, Conn.) and McDevitt in back-to-back possessions brought the Ravens within eight points, the smallest lead up until that point. Then came junior Tyler Iacuone (Mahopac, N.Y.) with a clutch three-pointer to bring the lead within five, 64-59 with four minutes to go.

The Penman would bring the lead back out to nine points with 1:33 to go. Franklin Pierce would respond with a three-pointer from sophomore Jaleel Bell (Boston, Mass.) to come back within six. The Penman would get a free throw from Devin Gilligan before Bell would sink a layup on the other end for a five point deficit once again with :59 to go.

A Gittens intentional foul would put Gilligan to the line again for the Penman, and again would hit both for a seven point lead for Southern New Hampshire. Just as the Penman made the shot, the Ravens pushed the floor back the other way, and would respond with another Iacuone three-pointer to come within four with :44 seconds to play.

Southern New Hampshire would inbound the ball into the Ravens full court press, and would throw the ball away, turning the ball over to Franklin Pierce with a chance to make something happen. Sure enough, Franklin Pierce would get a quick layup from Becklens to come within two with :39 seconds to go, enough time for another possession. Bonsignore would miss a layup with :07 left on the clock, giving the Ravens a chance to win after grabbing the rebound. Becklens would run the floor and let one fly on the run from the top of the arc, hitting the front of the rim on the attempt giving the Penman the win.

Iacuone finished as the top point getter for Franklin Pierce with 17, while Becklens tossed in 16 along with five assists and three steals. Gittens would finish with a strong performance of 11 points and four assists, while Bell notched a quiet 13 points off the bench. Iacuone, VIlmont, and McDevitt would all grab six rebounds apiece.

For the Penman, Bonsignore and junior Rodney Sanders finished with 15 points, while Gilligan also chipped in with 14 points. Sanders would also finish strong on the board with six rebounds.

The Ravens return to the hardwood on Saturday, December 6, when they travel to Manchester to take on Saint Anselm at 3:30 p.m.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce basketball apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).