Press Release

HOT SHOOTING LIFTS STONEHILL PAST PURPLE KNIGHTS, 65-59 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      FOR MORE INFORMATION January 14, 2004                                                                       Contact: Seth Cole                                                                                                 Phone: (802) 654-2537 COLCHESTER, Vt. – Sophomore Ricardo Scott (Boston, Mass.) and junior Evan Pellerin (Toronto, Ontario) led a balanced offense with 12 points apiece as Stonehill College edged Northeast-10 Conference rival Saint Michael’s College, 65-59, in men’s basketball action on Wednesday at the Ross Sports Center. Pellerin shot a perfect six-of-six from the field, helping the Chieftains shoot 52 percent, including 61 percent in the first half and 10-of-18 from beyond the arc. Junior Brian Wohl (Westbrook, Maine) tallied nine points, all on three-pointers, as Stonehill (6-7, 2-7 NE-10) won its second straight league contest. Senior Ben Smith (Southport Island, Maine/Boothbay Region) paced the Purple Knights with 15 points and 10 rebounds, his first double-double of the season. Junior Eric Swiezynski (Wilmington, Mass./Wilmington) chipped in 13 points, while senior Delbert Randall (Baltimore, Md./Calvert Hall) added 12 for Saint Michael’s (4-11, 1-10), which lost its sixth in a row. Saint Michael’s opened the game strong, racing out to an 11-6 lead 7:12 into the contest. The Chieftains then went on an 11-2 run, sparked by a trio of trifectas, to take the lead for good. The Purple Knights cut the lead to 21-20 on a Randall field goal with 6:29 left in the first half, but went nearly six minutes with scoring as the Chieftains pushed the lead to 34-22 at intermission. Stonehill maintained a comfortable lead for much of the second half, as a Pellerin field goal gave the Chieftains a 60-49 cushion with 6:58 remaining. Saint Michael’s made one last push, as an 8-1 run over the next five minutes brought the Purple Knights within 61-57. However, turnovers on consecutive possessions thwarted the comeback hopes, and a pair of free throws by Chieftains’ sophomore Chris Kraus (Markham, Ontario) sealed the victory. Saint Michael’s looks to bounce back on Monday when it visits league-rival Saint Anselm College. The Purple Knights’ next home contest is Thursday, January 22 versus Le Moyne College at 7:30 p.m.                ###PURPLEKNIGHTS###

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