Defense Leads Southern N.H. Past Stonehill, 58-41


Sophomore Ryan Logan scored a team-high nine points for the Skyhawks today. (PHOTO BY Lewis Glass/SportsPix)

Penmen hold Skyhawks to season-low 41 points as Sanders nets 19 

EASTON, Mass. (February 14, 2015) – Southern New Hampshire University, ranked fourth in this week's D2SIDA East Regional poll, held tenth-ranked Stonehill College to its lowest scoring output in nearly 12 years with a 58-41 victory in Northeast-10 Conference men's basketball action on Paula Sullivan Court at Merkert Gymnasium this afternoon.

Southern New Hampshire limited Stonehill to just 27.1-percent shooting from the field (16-for-59), including 7-for-27 (25.9%) in the first half as the Penmen staked out a 15 point (32-17) halftime lead, and the Skyhawks connected on just 5-of-29 (17.2%) three-pointers and converted 4-of-7 (57.1%) free-throws in posting its lowest point total since a 56-37 setback at American International College on February 25, 2003. SNHU finished shooting 43.3% (19-44) from the floor, including 54.2% (13-24) in the first half, connecting on 8-of-18 (44.4%) from beyond the arc, and converting 12-of-17 (70.6%) free-throws.

Junior Rodney Sanders (Linden, New Jersey/Linden) led Southern New Hampshire with a game-high 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field, including 3-for-4 from three-point range, to go with four rebounds, five assists and two steals. Senior Elijah Bonsignore (Felton, Delaware/Kingsway) added 14 points, six rebounds, three assists and a blocked shot, while sophomore Devin Gilligan (Amherst, New Hampshire/Kimball Union) chipped in nine points on 2-of-4 shooting, converting 5-of-6 free-throws, with two rebounds, and two steals in 20 minutes off the bench for the Penmen.

No Stonehill players reached double figures with sophomore Ryan Logan (Fredericktown, Ohio/Fredericktown) leading the way with nine points and five rebounds. Freshman Isaiah Bess (LaGrange, Maine/Hampden Academy) contributed eight points, connecting on 2-of-5 three-pointers, in 18 minutes off the bench, while sophomore Jimmy Walsh (Manasquan, New Jersey/Manasquan) grabbed a team-high seven boards (five offensive).


Freshman Isaiah Bess provided a spark off the bench for the Skyhawks. (PHOTO BY Paul W. Fitzgerald Photography)

Senior Jack Cole (New Providence, New Jersey/New Providence) scored the opening basket for Stonehill before Southern New Hampshire rattled off a 22-4 run to open a 16 point lead (22-6) after a Gilligan layup nine minutes into the game. Junior BJ Cardarelli (Manchester, Connecticut/East Catholic) buried back to back three-pointers during that stretch, while Sanders netted seven points for the Penmen. Junior Carter Smith (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) answered with a three-pointer for Stonehill, but SNHU extended its lead to 19 (30-11) with a Sanders triple with 5:26 remaining in the half.

Bess canned a three-pointer to pull Stonehill within 15 at the break (32-17) and then the Skyhawks were able to climb back within eight (35-27) after a Bess dunk with 13:16 remaining in the contest. Smith connected from beyond the arc to draw the Skyhawks within seven (40-33) with nine minutes to go, but Southern New Hampshire scored eight straight points to reclaim a 15 point lead (48-33) with two free-throws by senior Phillip Tripodakis (Athens, Greece) with five minutes on the clock.

Logan followed with a layup and then Bess added another triple to cut the Stonehill deficit to ten (48-38) with 3:55 to go. That was as close as the Skyhawks would get, with Sanders answering with a three-pointer at the other end and the Penmen converted 5-of-6 free-throws in the last 1:19 to seal the victory and snap Stonehill's eight game home winning streak.

Stonehill (16-8, 11-7 NE-10) returns to action on Wednesday when it visits Franklin Pierce University for a key NE-10 clash at 7:30 p.m. The Skyhawks return home next Saturday, February 21, to host rival Bentley University on Senior Night at 7 p.m. Please note the time change on that contest. Southern New Hampshire (16-6, 14-4 NE-10) hosts Saint Thomas Aquinas College on Monday at 3 p.m.

For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter and Facebook. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks mobile app on iTunes and the Android Market.

Game Highlights