Raven Freshmen Duo, Three-Point Attack Crucial in Non-Conference Win

This Franklin Pierce University men's basketball recap is presented by Belletetes

BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (November 17, 2018) – Franklin Pierce University men's basketball freshman guard Brandon Kolek (Cumberland, R.I.) came off the bench and exploded for 16 points and nine rebounds leading the Ravens to a 100-58 victory against non-conference opponent Long Island University – Post Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Ravens even up their record to 2-2 in the early going while the Pioneers fall to 0-2.

Kolek played only 21 minutes for FPU burying 6-of-13 from the hardwood including four three-pointers on nine attempts. Three of his rebounds came on the offensive end and the newcomer dished out four helpers. Classmate Isaiah Moore (Temple Hills, Md.) tallied 14 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

Joining the two underclassmen in double figures were sophomore guard Sean Fasoyiro (Houston, Texas) who notched 16 markers of his own to go along with five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block. Junior guard Falu Seck (Washington, D.C.) chipped in 11 points as well. All 14 healthy members of the team played and reached the scoring column.

The Ravens took more than half of their shot attempts from downtown. They drained 17-of-42 (40.5%) from distance including 12-of-25 (48.0%) in the first half. 12 of their 15 first half field goals came beyond the arc. FPU outrebounded the Pioneers 52-to-37 and their bench outscored their opponents 62-to-4.

Sophomore guard Alonzo Ortiz-Traylor carried the Pioneers with 17 points and six boards.

LIU drew first blood when freshman guard Seth Goumba buried a three-ball a minute and five seconds into the contest. A 14-1 Raven scoring run via four three-pointers from Seck, junior forward Jameson Pierrelus (Martin County, Fla.),  graduate forward Jeremy Arthur (Westbury, N.Y.), Kolek and two Fasoyiro free throw conversions opened up a 10 point, 14-4 FPU advantage.

Kolek continued his scorching hot start from the floor making another trey and driving the lane for two to up the Crimson and Grey advantage to 22-10 at the 11:44 mark. Pierce kept bombarding LIU Post with a barrage of long-range connections, Seck and Kolek hit back-to-back shots from downtown to double up their counterparts 33-16 midway through the half. Both squads swapped points until a 9-1 Raven spurt over the final 3:48 of the half grew their lead to 51-30 at the intermission. Senior guard David Bradbury Jr. (Deep River, Conn.), and Moore hit on their long-range shots while team captain, senior forward Gerard Gray Jr. (Washington, D.C.), split a pair of freebies, pickpocketed Nah'Jel Sands and went uncontested to the rack for a layup.

FPU began the second stanza outscoring the hosts by a 16-6 margin capped off by Bradbury Jr. drilling a deep ball to push the Crimson and Grey ahead 67-38 at the 13:19 mark. The Ravens made 6-of-12 (50.0%) of their field goal attempts during that run and were led by Arthur's four markers. A Moore layup with 10:51 left opened up a 30 point Raven lead. With 2:26 remaining, two freshman forward Connor Cullen (Ankeny, Iowa) free throws at the line built the Raven lead to a game-high 45, 96-51.

Franklin Pierce opens up Northeast-10 Conference play on Tuesday when they head north to Saint Michael's College for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.

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 men's basketball apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store). You can also follow the men's basketball team on Twitter (https://twitter.com/FPURavensMBB) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/fpuravensmbb/).