Stonehill (6-1, 3-1 NE-10)
vs.
Saint Michael's (1-5, 0-4 NE-10)
Saturday, December 5, 2015 - 3:30 p.m.
Paula Sullivan Court at Merkert Gymnasium - Easton, Mass.
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LAST MEETING: St. Michael's 75, Stonehill 71 (2/7/15 at Rindge, N.H.) RECAP
STONEHILL
Last Time Out: Stonehill 75, Franklin Pierce 54 (12/2/15 at Easton, Mass.) RECAP
Streak: Won 3
Notes: Stonehill, receiving votes in this week's D2SIDA Top 25 media poll and ranked third in the D2SIDA East Region poll, is off to a 6-1 start for the first time since 2011 after a convincing 75-54 win over Franklin Pierce here on Wednesday night. The Skyhawks look to improve to 7-1 for the first time since 2009 with a win today at played the third game of a four game home stand in the midst of a stretch in which it will play seven of its first nine games here at Merkert Gym. Stonehill ranks fifth in the NE-10 for scoring offense (82.4 ppg), fourth for field goal percentage (.479), third in three-point percentage (.416) and second in assists per game (16.9), while defensively the Skyhawks are sixth for blocked shots per game (3.3) and third for fewest fouls per game (17.1), fifth for scoring defense (70 ppg), fourth in field goal percentage defense (.415) and seventh for three-point percentage defense (.344), leading the NE-10 for rebound margin (+10.7 per game). Junior Ryan Logan (Fredericktown, Ohio) is averaging a double-double this season, ranking sixth among Conference scoring leaders with 21.7 points per game, while ranking second with 11.3 rebounds per game. He is also contributing 3.3 assists, shooting 53.6-percent from the field (12th NE-10), including 48.1% from three-point distance (15th). Senior Carter Smith (Columbus, Ohio) is adding 15.6 points (10th NE-10), shooting 51.5-percent from the field, including 52.5% from beyond the arc (7th), and converting 83.3% of his free-throws (12th), with 4.1 assists (6th) and 1.4 steals per game (5th). Classmate Pierce Cumpstone (Bainbridge Township, Ohio) is also averaging nearly a double-double off the bench for the Skyhawks with 12.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per game (5th), adding 1.8 blocks (4th), shooting 47.6-percent from the floor. Junior Jimmy Walsh (Manasquan, N.J.) chips in 10.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, shooting 53.3% from the floor (14th) and 54.5% from deep (3rd).
SAINT MICHAEL'S
Last Time Out: Merrimack 85, St. Michael's 67 (12/2/15 at Rindge, N.H.) RECAP
Streak: Won 3
Notes: Saint Michael's, under the direction of former Stonehill assistant Josh Meyer, enters tonight's game in search of its first NE-10 win after an 85-67 setback to Merrimack on Wednesday marked its fourth straight loss. Junior Matt Bonds (Accokeek, Md.) led Saint Michael's in three major categories, with 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting, ten rebounds and three assists. He notched his fifth double-double, keeping him tied for first among all NCAA East Region players. Freshman Levi Holmes III (East Brunswick, N.J.) tallied 14 points while knocking down three three-pointers. Bonds averages a double-double to lead the Purple Knights with 17.7 points and an NE-10 leading 12.0 rebounds per game, adding 2.5 assists while shooting 55.6% from the floor. Senior Greg Grippo (Edison, N.J.) contributes 13.2 points, converting 85.7% of his free-throws, with 4.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists, while Holmes adds 11.5 points, connecting at 51.7% from three-point range, with 3.5 rebounds per outing. Senior Morrell Gaskins (Cambria Heights, N.Y.) chips in 10.2 points on 56.8% shooting, 6.8 boards and 1.2 blocks per game. Saint Michael's is ranked 12th in the NE-10 for scoring offense (72.5 ppg) and field goal percentage (.433), 11th for three-point percentage (.359), 15th for free-throw percentage (.617) and third for fewest fouls committed per game (16.7). Defensively, the Purple Knights rank 14th in scoring defense (84.8 ppg), 12th in field goal percentage defense (.455) and 14th for three-point percentage defense (.417), while ranking second for rebound margin (+7.8/gm).