Clarke Scores 20 Points To Lead Five Players In Double Figures As Men's Basketball Opens 2005-2006 Campaign With 79-65 Non-League Victory Over Molloy In Opening Round Of Stonehill Coca-Cola Tip-Off Classic

November 18, 2005

STONEHILL MEN'S BASKETBALL

First Round 2005 Stonehill Coca-Cola Tip-Off Classic

Friday, November 18, 2005

Merkert Gymnasium, Easton, Mass.

FINAL:STONEHILL 79, MOLLOY 65

EASTON, Mass.-- Junior Lance Clarke (Somerville, Mass.) scored 20 points to lead five players in double figures as Stonehill opened its 2005-2006 season with a 79-65 non-league college men's basketball victory over Molloy in opening round play of the 2005 Stonehill Coca-Cola Tip-Off Classic Friday evening at Merkert Gymnasium.

The host Skyhawks (1-0) overcame an early four-point deficit with a 20-1 run over a 5:19 stretch to take a 27-12 lead midway through the opening half en route to a 45-32 edge at the break, and Stonehill built that margin to 17 points at 48-31 early in the second half before the visiting Lions (0-2) used a 20-10 run over a five-minute stretch to close their deficit to seven at 58-51 with 8:51 remaining in the contest. The Skyhawks then scored 17 of the game's next 24 points to built their lead to 16 points with just over three minutes to play in the game, as the hosts' biggest margin came at 18 points (77-59) with just over a minute-and-a-half to go in the contest.

Senior Sean Nelson (Milford, Mass.) added 13 points, seven rebounds and three blocks in the win for Stonehill, which also received 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists from senior Chris Kraus (Markham, Ont.). Senior Marquis Taylor (Los Angeles, Calif.) and freshman Nick Smith (Colonia, N.J.) rounded out the Skyhawk quintet in double figures with 10 points, as Smith just missed a double-double in his collegiate debut with nine rebounds while Taylor added six caroms for the hosts. Stonehill connected on nine three-pointers for the evening, including four from Clarke, and held a 47-40 rebounding advantage to overcome 16 turnovers.

Sophomore Glenn Martin (Brooklyn, N.Y.) led all scorers with 24 points in the setback for Molloy, as he grabbed nine rebounds and recorded three steals as well for the Lions, who also received 12 points each from junior Keith Tilley (Kew Gardens, N.Y.) and sophomore Mark Pierre (Brooklyn, N.Y.), who combined for 14 rebounds as well for the visitors. Molloy shot 38 percent from the field for the contest and connected on 6-of-23 attempts from behind the three-point arc, including three by Martin.

Stonehill squares off with Felician in second round play of the Stonehill Coca-Cola Tip-Off Classic on Saturday afternoon at Merkert Gymnasium at 4:00 p.m., while Molloy will take on Mercyhurst in Saturday's other second round match-up at 2:00 p.m.