RINDGE, N.H. (12/19/22) – The Franklin Pierce men's basketball kept things merry entering the holiday break, decisively defeating Goldey-Beacom College in non-conference action at the Fieldhouse on Monday afternoon by a final score of 82-65.  

The win comes as the third in a row for Franklin Pierce, who improve to 7-3 (3-2 NE10) on the season while having gone 4-1 against non-conference opponents. Goldey-Beacom dips to 4-8 (1-1 CACC) following the loss.

The Ravens quickly got to work from beyond the arc with a pair of early three pointers from guards Mohamad Traore (Hyde Park, Mass.) and Brandon Kolek (Cumberland, R.I.). Traore shortly thereafter would make it 2-of-2 from three point range, adding another to put Pierce ahead 11-3 just three minutes into the action. However, the Lightning challenged the Ravens with a 9-2 run nearing the midway point of the half, bringing the score to 13-12 Pierce. Fast forwarding to the final five minutes of the half, junior forward Antonio Chandler (Piscataway, N.J.) showcased his size with a pair of alternating dunks, and eventually finished the half with a late layup to send Pierce into the locker room leading the Lightning 48-36.

After surrendering the bottom half's first bucket, Pierce stormed ahead with an overwhelming 16-2 run including eight points from Brandon Kolek, and another Raven dunk by sophomore Sean Trumper (Ashford, United Kingdom). At the 10-minute mark, Pierce led the Lightning by a 68-47 score, and would receive some help from free throws over the course of the remaining time. With 4:24 on the clock, Mohamad Traore third three-point basket of the afternoon set Pierce up for a conservative finish, as the team would eat up the remaining time to secure the victory.

Sean Trumper led the Raven offense with his second-highest point totals of the season, knocking down 18 points while just missing the double-double mark in rebounds with nine. Mohamad Traore and Brandon Kolek each scored 17 and 15 points respectively, with each adding four assists in the win. Off the bench, the Ravens got 23 points as Antonio Chandler hit double-digit points for the third straight game, while also netting a new career-best 16 points going 7-of-8 from the floor. As a team, the Ravens showed one of their most balanced performances of the season, shooting 32-of-64 (50.0%) in field goals.

Men's basketball will ring in the new year with their second-to-last non-conference matchup of the season, and will face off against Daemen University on January, 2^nd for a 1:00 p.m. tipoff.