Freshman Ryan Logan scored 14 of his game-high 21 points in the second half to lead the Skyhawks past Pace. (PHOTO BY Emily Reynolds)

Logan guides Skyhawks to victory with game-high 21 points 

EASTON, Mass. (January 11, 2014) – Stonehill College opened a three game home stand 35 days since it was last in action at Merkert Gymnasium with a 79-68 triumph over Pace University in Northeast-10 Conference men's basketball action this afternoon.

Freshman Ryan Logan (Fredericktown, Ohio/Fredericktown) scored 14 of his game-high 21 points in the second half to help Stonehill pull away for the win as he made 5-of-7 shots from the field, including 1-for-2 from three-point range, while converting 10-of-11 free-throws to go with four rebounds, two assists and a steal. Sophomore Adam Bramanti (Middleton, Mass./Masconomet Regional) added 13 points (11 second half) on 3-of-5 shooting, including 1-for-2 from beyond the arc, while converting all six free-throw attempts with three rebounds and two steals. Classmate Carter Smith (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) rounded out the Skyhawks double-figure scorers with ten points, four assists and two boards, while junior Jack Cole (New Providence, N.J./New Providence) chipped in with a game-high 12 rebounds, seven points and two assists.

Senior Kai Smith (Upper Marlboro, Md./St. Mary's Ryken) led Pace with 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting, including 4-for-4 from long distance, converting 3-of-4 free-throws with six rebounds, an assist, blocked shot and steal. Senior Jonathan Merceus (Union, N.J./Union) added 15 points on 4-of-7 shooting from the floor, converting 7-of-10 free-throws, with four rebounds, while classmate Jamaal James (Brooklyn, N.Y./Brooklyn College Academy) notched 14 points on 7-of-12 shooting with six rebounds and a pair of blocks. Senior Denzel Primus-Devonish (Riverdale, Md./St. John's College) chipped in ten points, three rebounds and five steals.

Sophomore Adam Bramanti scored 11 of his 13 points in the second half. (PHOTO BY Emily Reynolds)

Stonehill shot 43.6-percent (24-for-55) from the field, including 8-for-20 (40%) from three-point range, while converting 23-of-27 (85.7%) free-throw attempts. The Skyhawks held a 40-33 rebounding edge to help aid a 15-9 advantage in second chance points, while their bench outscored the Pace reserves 19-9 as the Setters bench shot just a combined 3-for-17 (17.7%) on the afternoon, including 0-for-7 from beyond the arc. Pace shot 41-percent (25-for-61) from the field overall, but just 35.7% (10-28) in the second half after hitting at 45.5% (15-33) in the first half to take a two point (37-35) halftime lead. The Setters were 29.4% (5-for-17) from three-point range, while converting 13-of-20 (65%) free-throw tries.

Pace held a two point halftime lead (37-35) and then extended the lead to four as both teams struggled shooting out of the intermission with a Merceus layup 2:02 into the second. Stonehill used a 15-3 run over the next four minutes to reclaim the lead and extend it to eight (50-42) after a three-point play from sophomore Josh Heyliger (Bronx, N.Y./The Hill School) with 13:44 to play. Logan scored seven points during that stretch, including a three-pointer which put the Skyhawks in front for good.

Pace crept back within three (52-49) on a Smith three with 11:32 remaining before Stonehill scored eight straight points for an 11 point advantage (60-49) after a three-pointer by freshman Jimmy Walsh (Manasquan, N.Y./Manasquan) with 8:08 to play. The Setters closed again, drawing within two (60-58) after a three by Primus-Devonish with 5:42 still to go.

Stonehill bent, but would not break, stemming the tide with the next six points to regain an eight point cushion (66-58) just over a minute later after a three-pointer and put back by Bramanti. Pace cut the deficit to five (66-61), but would get no closer as the Skyhawks were able to push the lead back to 11 (72-61) with 1:36 left after back to back baskets from Logan. Stonehill sealed the win from there by converting 7-of-8 free-throws in the final minute.

Stonehill jumped out to a nine point lead (20-11) after a three point play by Logan seven and a half minutes into the game, capping a 10-2 run. The Skyhawks lead was five (31-26) after Cole made a pair of free-throws with 4:23 left in the half and then Pace used an 11-2 run to take its first lead and extend it to four (37-33) after a Smith three-pointer with 18-seconds remaining before settling for the two point halftime lead.

Stonehill (4-9, 2-7 NE-10) is right back in action on Tuesday night when it hosts American International College for an NE-10 clash at 7:30 p.m. Pace (3-11, 1-7 NE-10) visits Southern New Hampshire University on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

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