Benigni lead the Skyhawks with 15 points, nine rebounds and three assists (PHOTO BY Mike Tureski/SportsPix)

Skyhawks rally from 13 down late in second half, but Ravens hang on in overtime

RINDGE, N.H. (December 15, 2021) – Franklin Pierce University answered a late Stonehill College comeback that forced overtime to claim a 68-63 triumph in a Northeast-10 Conference men's basketball matchup between teams ranked in this week's D2SIDA East Region poll at FPU Fieldhouse tonight.

Stonehill, receiving votes in this week's National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division II poll, is ranked No. 4 in the D2SIDA East Region poll, while Franklin Pierce is ranked No. 5 and posted its fourth-straight win to leapfrog the Skyhawks into first place in the NE10's Northeast Division. 

Leaders

Stonehill
Jackson Benigni Sophomore, Guard: 15 points (7-for-17), season-high 9 rebounds, 3 assists off the bench.
Isaiah Burnett Senior, Guard: 12 points (all second half), 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, blocked shot.
Owen Chose Fifth-year, Guard: 12 points. 

Franklin Pierce
Isaiah Moore Junior, Guard: Double-double with game-high 18 points (8-for-18), 10 rebounds, 3 assists and steal.
Maxwell Zegarowski Junior, Forward: Double-double 14 points (9-for-12 FTs), game-high 14 rebounds, 4 blocked shots.
Mohamed Traore Freshman, Guard: 14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals. 

How it Happened

• Burnett contributed 12 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals (PHOTO BY Saylor Murphy)

  Stonehill erased a 13-point deficit (52-39) after a three-pointer from Franklin Pierce junior Derrick Obanor with just 8:17 to play to force overtime, but was unable to keep the momentum going in the extra session.
• Stonehill scored ten straight points to draw within three (52-49) with 6:23 remaining after back-to-back three-pointers by Burnett.
• Franklin Pierce stretched its lead back to seven (56-49) after a Moore layup with four minutes to play, but Stonehill outscored the Ravens 8-1 over the remainder of regulation to extend the game. Senior Andrew Sims scored four of the Skyhawks eight points during the closing stretch, including a layup with 1:19 remaining to knot the score.
• Both teams had shots to win the game in regulation, including a pair of chances from Benigni, but were unable to convert.
• Stonehill grabbed its first lead since the middle of the first half with a jumper in the paint by senior Josh Mack with 3:20 remaining, but Franklin Pierce followed with five straight, including a three-pointer by freshman Sean Trumper.
• Stonehill knotted the score (63-63) with 69-seconds left in the extra frame, but was unable to retake the lead as the Ravens made five of six free-throws and the Skyhawks misfired on the final three shots they would take to seal the win for Franklin Pierce.

Noteworthy

• Burnett has scored in double-figures for the seventh-straight game and eighth time overall.
• Benigni posted his second-straight 15-point game for Stonehill, finishing a point shy of his season-best (vs. Bridgeport, 11/17), with his seventh double-figure scoring out of ten this season.
• Chose scored in double digits for the fourth time in seven games played this season, but his first since November 20 at Saint Michael's College.
• Stonehill, winners of six of seven and one of just two undefeated teams in NE10 play heading into tonight's game, was playing its first game in ten days after a final exam break.

Up Next

Stonehill (7-3, 3-1 NE10) returns to action on Monday, when it closes out its first semester schedule with an NE10 matchup with Assumption University at Merkert Gymnasium at 3 p.m. That afternoon will also wrap up the athletic department's Holiday Toy Drive to benefit My Brother's Keeper, with any fan bringing an unwrapped, packaged toy earning free admission to the game. Franklin Pierce (6-3, 4-1 NE10) visits Daemen College for a non-conference clash on Saturday at 11 a.m.

For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.