Press Release

SMITH HELPS PURPLE KNIGHT MEN EARN SECOND STRAIGHT WIN FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     FOR MORE INFORMATION January 31, 2004                                                                      Contact: Seth Cole Courtesy: AIC Sports Information                                               Phone: (802) 654-2537 SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Senior Ben Smith (Southport Island, Maine/Boothbay Region) totaled 17 points to lead Saint Michael’s College to a 59-56 victory over American International College Saturday afternoon at Butova Gymnasium. The win, the second straight for the Purple Knights after they had dropped nine in a row, improve to 6-14 and 3-13 in the Northeast-10, while AIC falls to 8-13 and 5-11 in the league. Smith was the only Saint Michael’s player to finish in double figures.  Brock Cumberbatch (Brooklyn, N.Y.) recorded 14 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Yellow Jackets, while Andre Riley (Toronto, Ontario) and John Huggins (Philadelphia, Pa.) each added 12. Sophomore BJ Robertson (Burlington, Vt./Burlington) and freshman Brendan Mullins (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) each added nine points for the Purple Knights., while freshman Ryan Maloney (Chicopee, Mass./Chicopee) had two points and four rebounds just minutes from his hometown. AIC led 34-27 with 16:02 left in the second half after a Huggins free throw. Saint Michael’s then went on a 13-6 run and a layup by sophomore Chase Graves (West Chester, Pa./Storm King) gave SMC its first lead at 40-38 with 10:48 left since early in the game. The hosts then scored seven of the game’s next 11 points and a layup by Cumberbatch with 7:34 to go gave AIC a 47-44 lead. After the two teams swapped the lead twice, the Jackets took their last lead with 4:54 to go after a Huggins basket. A pair of free throws by senior Delbert Randall (Baltimore, Md./Calvert Hall) with 2:25 to go gave Saint Michael’s the lead for good at 52-51. The Knights went 9-of-10 from the line over the final 2:25 to seal the win. After Robertson hit 1-of-2 at the line with 22 seconds left the guests had a 57-53 lead, Dwaine Clarke (Windsor, Conn.) pulled AIC within one with 15.5 seconds left by hitting a three at the top of the key. AIC immediately fouled and after Robertson made a pair the Yellow Jackets would have the final possession. A wild Shaaron Sinvilcin (Port Chester, N.Y.) three attempt with just under four seconds left was off the mark but the carom glanced off a SMC defender giving the hosts one last chance. American International inbounded to Anthony Lee (Norwalk, Conn.) who got an open look at a game-tying shot from the left corner. His attempt was off the mark and time expired as a Saint Michael’s player grabbed the board. AIC took a 22-16 lead with 3:29 to go in the first half after a Cumberbatch basket to match its largest lead of the half. Saint Michael’s would take a 23-22 lead with 1:20 to go in the half, but Sinvilcin would convert a conventional three-point play with 12 seconds left in the opening stanza to give AIC a 25-23 halftime advantage. Saint Michael's visits College of Saint Rose on Wednesday before hosting Pace University on Feb. 7 at 3:30 p.m. at the Ross Sports Center. ###PURPLEKNIGHTS###

For more information please contact the SMC Sports Information Office at (802) 654-2537
Last Revised: October 25, 2002