Assumption Extends Late to Defeat Franklin Pierce, 71-58
64.3-percent second-half shooting 
propels Greyhounds

WORCESTER, Mass. (January 22, 2008) – Assumption College erased a seven point deficit five minutes into the second half and posted a 71-58 victory over Franklin Pierce University in Northeast-10 Conference men’s basketball action at Andrew Laska Gymnasium tonight.

            Assumption shot 64.3-percent (18-for-28) from the field in the second half, including 5-of-9 (55.6%) from three-point range, while Franklin Pierce connected on just 39.3-percent (11-for-28) from the field over the final 20-minutes, including 2-of-10 (20%) from beyond the arc. The Ravens 23 turnovers also resulted in a 20-10 Assumption scoring advantage in points off miscues.

            Junior Patrick Shea (Salem, Mass./Salem) led Assumption with 18 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field, including 2-for-4 from three-point range, while converting 6-7 free-throws. He also added six rebounds and three assists. Sophomore Courtland Bluford (Fort Washington, Md./St. Vincent) added 14 points, four assists and three rebounds, while senior Mike Foti (Franklin, Mass./Franklin) chipped in 12 points, hitting 4-of-7 three-pointers.

            Freshman Jeff Manchester (Gorham, Maine/Gorham) led Franklin Pierce with 17 points, shooting 7-of-12 from the field, including 3-for-5 from three-point range, to go with four rebounds. Freshman Kinard Dozier (Dedham, Mass./The Winchendon School) added 14 points, aided by 3-of-6 shooting from three-point range, three rebounds and two assists. Junior Rimas Varanauskas (Kaunas, Lithuania/The Winchendon School) chipped in seven points, six rebounds and four assists.            

Franklin Pierce used a 13-1 run over a six-minute span to turn a three-point Assumption lead (19-16) with 8:50 left in the first half into a game-high nine-point advantage (29-20) after two free-throws from junior Tristan Shields (Mason, N.H./St. Bernard’s) with 1:48 remaining. Dozier buried back-to-back three’s to spark the run.

            Franklin Pierce carried a six-point (29-23) lead into halftime and quickly bumped it back up to eight (31-23) on an Adam Dizuzzio (Fitchburg, Mass./St. Bernard’s) jumper 12-seconds into the half. The Ravens lead was seven (38-31) after a Manchester drive with 15:47 to play, before Assumption began to turn the tables.

            A quick 10-0 spurt put Assumption in front by three (41-38) after a Corey Diethorn (Pittsburgh, Pa./Sewickley) jumper with 11:46 left. Franklin Pierce regained the lead (45-44) with 10:43 to go, after two Manchester jumpers, but Assumption reeled off a 12-0 run to take the lead for good (56-45) with 7:05 left. Shea and junior Mitch Bajema (Whitinsville, Mass./Christian) each canned three-pointers during that stretch. The Greyhounds lead grew to as much as 15 before settling on the final 13-point score margin.

Franklin Pierce (6-12, 2-11 NE-10) continues its three-game road trip on Saturday against The College of Saint Rose at 3:30 p.m. The Ravens don’t return home until Tuesday, February 5, when they host Bryant University at 7:30 p.m. Assumption (15-5, 9-4 NE-10) travels to Saint Anselm College on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

BOXSCORE & PLAY-BY-PLAY