Chose netted a career-high 29 points to lead the Skyhawks to a big road win today (PHOTO BY Mary Gettens)

Chose nets career-high 29 points to lead Skyhawks after three-week layoff

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (January 8, 2022) – Stonehill College, ranked No. 6 in the latest D2SIDA East Region poll, returned from a nearly three-week layoff and secured a 73-64 road triumph at Le Moyne College in Northeast-10 Conference men's basketball action on Ted Grant Court inside the Henninger Athletic Center this afternoon. 

Leaders

Stonehill
Owen Chose Fifth-year, Guard: Career-high 29 points (11-for-22, 5-for-14 threes), season-high 6 rebounds.
Josh Mack Senior, Guard: Career-high 14 points (5-for-9, 3-for-3 threes), 4 rebounds, 2 steals.
Jackson Benigni Sophomore, Guard: 12 points (8-for-8 free-throws), 5 rebounds, 4 assists. 

Le Moyne
Christian Davis Freshman, Guard: 19 points (6-for-13, 5-for-9 threes), 9 rebounds.
Luke Sutherland Sophomore, Forward: 9 points (4-for-9), 7 rebounds.
Kevin Constant Freshman, Guard: 6 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, blocked shot. 

How it Happened

• Mack added a career-best 14 points for the Skyhawks, draining all three three-point attempts (PHOTO BY Mary Gettens)

  Stonehill never trailed, fending off a Le Moyne comeback effort from 12 points down (54-42) midway through the second half, closing the game out with a backbreaking 14-2 run in the final four minutes to secure the win.
• Stonehill staked out a ten-point lead (21-11) before the game was eight minutes old after a layup by Benigni.
• The Skyhawks stretched the lead to 13 (27-14) with a layup from sophomore Emmanuel Bonsu with 8:26 to play in the first half, before Le Moyne closed within five (27-22) less than two minutes later after back-to-back three-pointers from Davis.
• Le Moyne knotted the score twice in the final three minutes of the half, but Stonehill carried the lead (37-35) into the lockerroom after a layup from Benigni.
• Neither team scored over the first three minutes of the second half and then Chose scored the first field goal of the half after three and a half minutes and then senior Jack Schweitz drained a three to stretch the Stonehill lead to six (42-36) four minutes in.
• Stonehill scored seven straight points to restore a 12-point lead (51-39) after a Chose three-pointer with 12-minutes to go, and was still up 12 (54-42) after a Mack triple two minutes later.
• Stonehill led by ten (59-49) after a Chose three with 7:44 to go, when Le Moyne scored ten straight to pull even (59-59) after a Sutherland layup with 3:45 to play.
• Stonehill held from there and followed with the next six points, including 4-of-4 free-throws by freshman Christopher Melis, to spark a 14-2 run that halted the rally and sealed the win.

Noteworthy

• Chose's career-high scoring night is his third-straight game in double-figures and his first 20-point game of the season (12^th career) for his 54^th career double-digit game.
• Mack's career-high 14 points are his second-straight double-figure scoring game (sixth career).
• Benigni scored in double figures for the eighth time in 11 games played, while making his fourth start of the season.
• Melis made his first career start for Stonehill this afternoon.
• Stonehill converted 18-of-20 free-throw attempts.
• Stonehill outscored Le Moyne 22-10 in points off turnovers, despite finishing with one less (15-14) on the day.
• Stonehill was playing its first game in 19 days.

Up Next

Stonehill (8-4, 4-2 NE10) is scheduled to return to action on Tuesday, when it hosts Adelphi University for an NE10 matchup at Merkert Gymnasium at 7:30 p.m. Le Moyne (6-6, 2-3 NE10) is off until next Saturday, when it hosts Southern New Hampshire University at 3 p.m.

Schedule Update: Stonehill's postponed NE10 matchup with Southern New Hampshire has been rescheduled for this Thursday, January 13, at Merkert Gym at 7 p.m.

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