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Matt Hall led all scorers with 20 points on 7-for-10 shooting in the 59-56 win over Bryant. |
Smithfield, R.I. - Sophomore Randall Stallworth (Toms River, N.J.) hit a 10-foot jumper - his only basket of the game - with a minute to go and classmate A.J. Rudowitz (Monroe Township, N.J.) scored on a follow-up after a miss by Stallworth with 21 seconds left as visiting Stonehill College pulled away for a 59-56 win over host Bryant University in Northeast-10 Conference men's basketball action Wednesday at the Chace Athletic Center.
Bryant (4-5, 3-4 NE-10) fell despite getting a game-high 19 points and season-best 11 rebounds from senior guard Jon Ezeokoli.
The Bulldogs led 27-21 at the half but a behind the shooting of guard Matt Hall (Springfield, Mass.), the Skyhawks would climb back to pull within a point at 41-40 on a Hall three with 10:55 left.
A pair of Mike Kernan (Medford, N.J.) free throws gave the visiting Skyhawks their first lead of the game, 42-41 since the early minutes of the contest while freshman Vince Rosario (Perth Amboy, N.J.) followed with a three pointer to make it 45-41 forcing the Bulldogs to call timeout.
A Chris Birrell three evened the score a few minutes later setting up for a close finish down the stretch, but missed free throws in the waning minutes would prove costly for the Bulldogs. Ezeokoli made one of two free throw attempts to give the Bulldogs a 56-55 lead with 1:57 left but it wouldn't be enough to pull out the win.
Birrell finished with 16 points while freshman Barry Latham (Taunton, Mass.) had a strong game with 11 points, six rebounds and five blocked shots.
Hall led all scorers with 20 points, going 7 of 10 from the floor including a sizzling 5 of 7 from three-point range. Rudowitz added 14 points and five rebounds as the Skyhawks evened their record to 6-6 on the season (4-3 NE-10).
The Skyhawks now have eight days off for exams before returning to the court on Thursday, December 20 for a non-league home game versus Mercy.