Sims leads Skyhawks with 17 points

Sims led the Skyhawks with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists (PHOTO BY Bob Blanchard)

EASTON, Mass. (February 8, 2022) – Stonehill College shot 50-percent from the field in the second half to pull away from Franklin Pierce University in Northeast-10 Conference men's basketball action on Paula Sullivan Court at Merkert Gymnasium tonight. 

Leaders

Stonehill
Andrew Sims Senior, Forward: Game-high 17 points (7-for-13), 5 rebounds, 4 assists, steal, blocked shots.
Owen Chose Fifth-year, Guard: 13 points, 2 rebounds.
Emmanuel Bonsu Sophomore, Guard: 10 points (4-for-8, 2-for-5 threes), 3 rebounds, 2 assists, steal.
Christopher Melis Freshman, Forward: 8 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocked shots. 

Franklin Pierce
Maxwell Zegarowski Junior, Forward: Double-double with 16 points (5-for-10, 5-for-6 FTs), 10 rebounds.
Mohamed Traore Freshman, Guard: 13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists.
Isaiah Moore Junior, Guard: 12 points (6-for-18), 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, blocked shot. 

How it Happened

• Bonsu shined on the defensive end, but also netted ten points for the Skyhawks

  A back and forth first half saw Franklin Pierce grab a five-point advantage (27-22) after a layup by Moore with 4:17 to play in the first half.
• Stonehill closed out the half with an 11-2 run, keyed by five straight points from Chose and capped by a layup by Sims to take a four-point edge (33-29) into halftime.
• Franklin Pierce pulled even (35-35) after a layup by Traore less than three minutes into the second half, but Stonehill responded with a 10-3 spurt to open a seven-point cushion (45-38) after a Burnett layup six minutes into the frame.
• Franklin Pierce closed to within two points twice in the next five minutes, but Stonehill restored two seven-point leads, the latter coming with just under nine minutes to play after a Bonsu layup.
• The Ravens pulled within a possession (56-53) after freshman Sean Trumper scored a layup with eight minutes still to play.
• Stonehill pushed its lead to ten (67-57) when Sims capped an 11-4 run with a jumper inside with three minutes to play.
• The Skyhawks would stretch their lead to a game-high 13 (72-59) after a Burnett three-pointer with 1:42 left.

Noteworthy

• Sims led Stonehill in scoring for the seventh time this season, reaching double-figures in scoring for the 14^th game (26^th career).
• Chose, playing in his 100^th career game, netted double-digits for the sixth-straight game and 15^th time this season overall (62^nd career).
• Bonsu scored in double figures for the third time this season (and career), doing so in two of the last three games.
• Stonehill shot 50-percent (17-for-34) from the field in the second half, and held Franklin Pierce to just 2-for-19 shooting from three-point distance (10.5%).
• Melis pulled down ten-plus rebounds for the second time this season.

Up Next

Stonehill (12-10, 8-8 NE10) is back in action on Saturday, when it visits Assumption University for an NE10 matchup at 3:30 p.m. The Skyhawks return to Merkert Gym next Wednesday, February 16, to host Saint Michael's College for Senior Night at 7:30 p.m. Franklin Pierce (10-7, 7-5 NE10) visits The College of Saint Rose on Thursday at 6 p.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.