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Freshman Mike Kernan came off the bench to score eight points and grab nine rebounds in the win over Mercy. |
Smith, Subs Power Skyhawks Past Mavericks, 86-62
North Easton, Mass. - Nick Smith (Colonia, N.J.) made a season-high six three-pointers en route to 24 points in 24 minutes as Stonehill opened up an early 20 point lead and cruised to a decisive 86-62 win over visiting Mercy College on Thursday evening at Merkert Gymnasium.
Smith did most of his damage in the first half when he almost singlehandedly outscored the Mavericks, collecting 19 points as the Skyhawks took a commanding 40-20 lead into intermission.
Stonehill showed little rust from its eight day layoff for final exams, as they shot 54 percent for the game, including 65 percent in the final 20 minutes.
After Raynham native Jimmy Gunville dropped in a three-pointer to give Mercy their first, and only lead of the game at 3-2, the Skyhawks went on a 26-3 run to essentially put the game away. The run was highlighted by five straight three pointers from Smith and excellent passing from Randall Stallworth (Toms River, N.J.) and Colin Scanlon (Centreville, Va.).
The second half proved to be more of the same, as the lead ballooned to as many as 34 with a little more than eight minutes left, as the Skyhawks got 33 of their 46 second half points from their bench.
Junior Kevin Wilkins (New Windsor, N.Y.), playing the most minutes of his career, had six points, four rebounds and two blocks, while freshman Mike Kernan (Medford, N.J.) had eight points and a team-high nine rebounds. A.J. Rudowitz (Monroe Township, N.J.) was the only other Skyhawk in double figures, registering 10 points on 4-for-5 shooting.
Stonehill held an edge in almost every category, including points in the paint (32-28), points off turnovers (17-14) and rebounds (38-26).
Michael Marcin led Mercy with 16 points, while Ed Wilson added 13. Paul Flowers posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds to go along with four steals. Vince Jordan, who provided a highlight reel dunk late in the second half, added nine points and six rebounds.
With the win the Skyhawks improve to 7-6 on the season and 3-0 on their home court.
Stonehill now has 10 days off before returning to action next Sunday for a road tilt at Dominican, a team they defeated 60-42 a season ago.