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The Game
Stonehill College opens a season-long four game homestand as Northeast Conference basketball makes its debut at Merkert Gymnasium tonight against Wagner College on Paula Sullivan Court. The Skyhawks split their two games on the opening weekend of the NEC schedule, notching a 74-67 victory at Sacred Heart in its NEC opener last Thursday, before being edged at Saint Francis (Pa.) 73-72 on New Years Eve. The Seahawks similarly split their NEC openers, posting a 69-61 win over LIU at the Barclays Center, before Merrimack snapped the Seahawks four-game winning streak with a 58-48 decision on Staten Island on Saturday.

Media Information
Tonight's game is being broadcast live on SkyhawksVision and NEC Front Row. Charlie Bergeron (PBP) and Brian Buckley (analyst) have the call of the action for tonight. The broadcast can be accessed via stonehillskyhawks.com through its NEC Front Row portal (necfrontrow.com/schools/SC) or through Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV and Roku via the NEC On the Run App.

Last Time Out
Josh Cohen drained two free-throws with five seconds on the clock to cap a Saint Francis comeback from an eight-point deficit with five minutes to play in a 73-72 triumph over Stonehill in Northeast Conference action at DeGol Arena. Cohen's clutch free-throws capped an 18-point game for the NEC scoring leader on 6-of-10 shooting, finishing 6-for-9 from the free-throw line, to go with nine rebounds and three assists as the 6-10 forward drew ten fouls while battling his own foul troubles in the second half. The two winning free-throw were in contrast for a Stonehill team that entered the game leading the NEC by shooting 77.8-percent at the line after leading the entire country a month ago, as the Skyhawks will rue seven misses at the line in the second half, including three in the closing 92-seconds. Fifth-year guard Isaiah Burnett (Annapolis, Md.) led three from Stonehill in double-figures by scoring 15 of his game-high 25 points in the second half, on 7-of-16 shooting, including 3-for-9 from three, while converting 8-of-9 free-throws, with seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and a blocked shot. Classmate Andrew Sims (Mount Laurel, N.J.) added 18 points, including ten after halftime, on 7-of-13 shooting, while postgrad Max Zegarowski (South Hamilton, Mass.) followed with 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting, four rebounds and two assists.

NEC Debut Wins
Stonehill is the sixth new Northeast Conference member to record a win in its NEC debut game after its 74-67 triumph at Sacred Heart on Thursday. The Skyhawks join Merrimack (vs. Sacred Heart in 2020), Quinnipiac (at Monmouth, 1998), Maryland Baltimore County (vs Mount Saint Mary's, 1998), Rider (vs. St. Francis-Brooklyn, 1993) and Monmouth (vs LIU, 1986) in posting NEC debut wins.

Let's Make it Two!
Stonehill is one of just four NEC newcomers to win their debut games on both the men's and women's side after the Stonehill women notched a 73-66 victory in their Conference opener at Central Connecticut State on Monday. Stonehill is the first since Quinnipiac won both openers in 1998, also joining Rider (1992-93) and Monmouth (1985-86).  

Against the Seahawks
Tonight marks the third meeting all-time between Stonehill and Wagner. The two programs split two prior encounters during the 1970s, both played on Staten Island. Stonehill notched an 80-71 win in the first meeting between the two on February 3, 1973, before Wagner registered a 61-59 victory three years later on February 7, 1976, the last time the two teams met. Tonight marks the Seahawks first ever visit to Merkert Gymnasium.

Looking Back at 1976
Stonehill and Wagner are playing one another for the first time since a 61-59 Seahawks victory on February 7, 1976. What was going on in the world at this time?
• It was a Saturday.
• #1 Song in the US: "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover" by Paul Simon.
• #1 Song in the UK: "Mamma Mia" by ABBA.
• FCC raids & shuts down pirate radio station WCPR in Brooklyn, New York.
• Toronto's Darryl Sittler sets NHL record with 10 points (6G, 4A) in Maple Leafs' 11-4 win over Boston at Maple Leaf Gardens.
• April 1: Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs found Apple Computer in the garage of Jobs' parents house in Cupertino, California.
• April 22: Barbara Walters becomes first female US nightly network news anchor (ABC News).
• July 17: 21st modern Olympic games opens in Montreal.
• I was three weeks shy of my second birthday.

Sims

Burnett

Prime Performers
Stonehill fifth-years Andrew Sims (Mount Laurel, N.J.) and Isaiah Burnett (Annapolis, Md.) were both named NEC Prime Performers for their efforts in a split of the opening two NEC games in the Skyhawks history on Monday. Sims posted his first double-double of the season in Stonehill's 74-67 win at Sacred Heart in the program's inaugural NEC contest. He finished with 17 points and a season-high ten rebounds in the victory. Sims shot an efficient 55.6-percent (15-for-27) from the floor on his way to averaging 17.5 points over the two games, while adding 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. Burnett paced the Skyhawks with 18.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 2.5 assists per game in a split during the first week of NEC competition. He scored a game-high 25 points in a one-point setback at Saint Francis on Saturday, adding seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and a blocked shot. Sims and Burnett lead Stonehill with five and four NEC Prime Performer selections this season and the duo have both collected NEC Player of the Week accolades once. Postgrad Max Zegarowski (South Hamilton, Mass.)  has earned Prime Performer honors once to round out the Skyhawk selections.
NEC Prime Performers:
Nov. 14: Andrew Sims & Isaiah Burnett
Nov. 21: Isaiah Burnett
Nov. 28: Andrew Sims
Dec. 5: Andrew Sims & Max Zegarowski
Dec. 12: Isaiah Burnett
Dec. 19: Andrew Sims
Jan. 2: Andrew Sims & Isaiah Burnett

Clash of Styles
Tonight will mark a matchup of one of the top offensive teams in the NEC and the top defensive team in the Conference. Stonehill ranks fourth in the NEC in scoring (70.3 ppg), second in field goal percentage (.445) and three-point percentage (.358). Wagner leads the NEC in scoring defense (63.1 ppg) and field goal percentage defense (.422), while ranking third in three-point percentage defense (.324). The Seahawks also lead the NEC in scoring margin (+2.0) and rebound margin (+4.3).

Preseason Prognostications
Stonehill was picked to finish ninth in its first Northeast Conference season by the league's head coaches. Merrimack received six of the eight first place votes to hold the pole position atop the preseason poll, followed by Sacred Heart with two first place votes. Saint Francis (Pa.) follows in third, while Wagner is picked fourth and received the final first place vote.  

Bright Lights
The Northeast Conference announced that Stonehill's February 2 matchup with Saint Francis (Pa.) University will be broadcast live on ESPN3 through the NEC's 26-game television package. The matchup at Merkert Gym is among 21 games that will be featured on ESPN networks. Now in his 23rd season, Dave Popkin serves as the primary play-by-play announcer on men's broadcasts, with Paul Dottino (24th year) filling in. Tim Capstraw (24th year) and Joe DeSantis (16th year) are slated to split color analyst duties. Pack Network and Northeast Sports Network (NSN) will handle production duties for the league's ESPN3/ESPN+ package.

Globe Mass Top 10
Stonehill fifth-year forward Andrew Sims (Mount Laurel, N.J.) was recognized by the Boston Globe on Monday as one of the top ten players among the nine NCAA Division I men's basketball programs in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Sims was ranked No. 9 by Globe men's basketball columnist Trevor Hass, while postgrad Max Zegarowski (South Hamilton, Mass.) received honorable mention status. Harvard's Chris Ledlum leads the list that also includes Northeastern's Jahmyl Telfort (No. 2), Noah Fernandes of UMass (No. 3), Walter Whyte of Boston University (No. 4), Makai Ashton-Langford of Boston College (No. 5), UMass Lowell's Abdoul Karim Coulibaly (No. 6), Jordan Minor from Merrimack (No. 7), Holy Cross' Gerrale Gates (No. 8) and Everette Hammond of UMass Lowell (No. 10).

Forever a Skyhawk!
Tonight marks the 450th game Stonehill head coach Chris Kraus '06 has had a role with the program including his time as a student-athlete (114) from 2002-06, assistant coach (90) between 2010-13, and head coach (245) since 2013. Kraus has now had a role with his alma mater in 23.5-percent of the men's basketball games in the program's 74-year history. Stonehill has posted a 255-194 (.568) record over his combined 17-years at the College.

Movin' On Up!
Fifth-year forward Andrew Sims (Mount Laurel, N.J.) surpassed 900 career points with his 20 point effort at Boston College on December 13 and is now well within striking distance of becoming the program's 43rd 1,000-point scorer. He has scored 959 points in 88 career games played as a 47.4-percent shooter for his career.

Milestone Max
Postgrad Max Zegarowski (South Hamilton, Mass.) could give Stonehill two 1,000-point scorers on its roster, having scored 880 points in 76 career games, including his time at Lynn and Franklin Pierce.

Home Cooking!
Albeit a small sample size of just three games, including one non-Division I opponent, Stonehill is scoring 34-points per game more at home (84.7 ppg) than its season average (70.3 ppg). The Skyhawks have shot 50-percent from the field at Merkert Gym this season, including 42.2% from three-point distance. Postgrad Max Zegarowski (South Hamilton, Mass.) has found the Merkert rims friendly in his first year as a Skyhawk, averaging 18.7 points on 45.9% shooting, including 11-for-24 (45.8%) from three.

Stop... Thief!
Stonehill fifth-year Isaiah Burnett (Annapolis, Md.) ranks second in the NEC and fourth nationally with his team-high 2.8 steals per game this season. His 45 thefts are second in both the Conference and nationally behind only Javon Bennett of Merrimack's 46 steals. Burnett has recorded a steal in all 16 contests this season and 22-straight games dating back to last year. He has recorded multiple steals in nine-straight games, including a career-high matching five thefts at Boston College on December 13 and at Binghamton on December 3. He had four steals in the first two games of the Konchalski Classic as well as against Eastern Nazarene on November 30. Burnett led the NE10 with 2.3 steals per game last year, collecting his 100th career steal at Bradley on December 19. (Note that due to NCAA Division I reclassification, Stonehill does not officially appear among NCAA statistical leaders for four years)

Triples Duo
Postgrad Max Zegarowski (South Hamilton, Mass.) and fifth-year Shamir Johnson (Waterbury, Conn.) ranks second and third among NEC three-point shooting leaders, respectively. Zegarowski also ranks second in the NEC with 2.5 three-point field goals per game, connecting on 42.6-percent - tops in the NEC among shooters with 20-plus makes this season. Johnson is right behind his teammate, shooting 41.6-percent from three, while his 2.0 three-pointers per game ranks fifth.

Sims City
Fifth-year forward Andrew Sims (Mount Laurel, N.J.) ranks third among NEC scoring leaders with his team-best 16.3 points per game. Sims has scored 20-plus points five times this season, including his game-high 20 at Boston College, having netted a season-best 24 points against Quinnipiac (11/10) and UIC (11/21). Sims is second in the NEC for field goal percentage (.500) and fifth in free-throw percentage (.780).

Taking Their Charity
Stonehill is still shooting an NEC-best 76.6-percent from the free throw line this season, nearly four-percent higher than Fairleigh Dickenson (73.0%) in second. The Skyhawks have dipped to 19th nationally, but has two players ranked in the NEC top 13 in free-throw accuracy in fifth-years Andrew Sims (Mount Laurel, N.J.) and Isaiah Burnett (Annapolis, Md.). Sims is converting 78-percent of his free-throws to rank fifth in the Conference, while Burnett ranks 12th at 74.7-percent. Postgrad Max Zegarowski (South Hamilton, Mass.) is shooting 86.1-percent from the line, (31-for-36) but needs more attempts to qualify. (Note that due to NCAA Division I reclassification, Stonehill does not officially appear among NCAA statistical leaders for four years)

Top Score
Fifth-year guard Isaiah Burnett (Annapolis, Md.) owns two of the Skyhawks top three scoring games this season after his second 20-plus point game of the season at Saint Francis (25 points) on Saturday. He scored a career-high 30 points in Stonehill's win over Holy Cross on November 19 and has moved up to a tie for 11th on the NEC scoring charts with his 12.2 points per game, shooting 45.6-percent from the floor (11th NEC) and 74.7% from the free-throw line (12th).

In Transition
Stonehill announced it had accepted an invitation to join the Northeast Conference and commence a four-year transition to full NCAA Division I membership on April 5. The Skyhawks started their four-year transition on July 1 and will earn full NCAA Division I membership in 2026-27. At the June NEC meetings, the Conference presidents announced a shift in the waiting period for automatic qualifier sports from competing for NEC postseason championships from four to two years, making Stonehill eligible to compete in the NEC postseason starting in 2024-25.

Proud History
Stonehill won the Northeast-10 Presidents' Cup six times, finishing in the top three in the final standings 15 of the last 17 years. Stonehill was one of just ten institutions nationwide to receive the NCAA Division II Presidents' Award for Academic Achievement, recognizing athletic departments with an Academic Success rating of 90-percent or better, each of the first ten years of the program's existence. The College ranks No. 98 in the category of National Liberal Arts Schools by U.S. News & World Report and No. 94 for the Best Value category.

Hoop History
Stonehill men's basketball earned 15 NCAA Division II Tournament bids over its history, the last was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Stonehill were charter members of the Northeast-10 Conference, winning the first two tournament championships in 1981 and '82, finishing its time in the Conference with four postseason titles and six regular season championships.

Getting Social
Fans and media members of Stonehill athletics have multiple social media outlets to get updates on all 23 varsity programs. The department's Facebook page is www.facebook.com/stonehillskyhawks, and you can also follow @GoStonehill on Twitter and @stonehillskyhawks via Instagram! You can also search for Stonehill men's basketball on Facebook, follow the team's Twitter account via @StonehillBball as well as head coach Chris Kraus @CoachChrisKraus, and its new Instagram feed @stonehillbball. 

Up Next
Stonehill is right back in action here at Merkert Gymnasium on Saturday when it hosts Central Connecticut State University at 2 p.m.