Franklin Pierce University forward Mike McDevitt racked up a team-best 16 points and eight boards as the Ravens defeated Northeast-10 Conference opponent Assumption College 84-61 on Saturday afternoon in The Fieldhouse. The win improves the Ravens to 4-4, 3-2 NE10 and the loss drops the visitors to 2-5, 2-3 NE10.
McDevitt shot 7-of-11 (63.6%) including 2-of-3 (66.7%) from distance. FPU was forced to empty the bench early in the contest as four of their five starters entered foul trouble during the first half of the contest. The Raven reserves poured in 32 points to the Greyhounds 15. Pierce also outrebounded their counterparts 38-to-21 and shared the rock more, 18 assists to six.
Dustin Cole played 20 minutes off the pine and dropped nine points, hitting 3-of-4 (75.0%) of his long range attempts. Marvilio Berroa added eight points, three rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal in extended minutes. David Bradbury and Falu Seck scored six points apiece and Seck lead all guards in the contest with six rebounds.
For the guests, Marcus Murray racked up a game-high 20 points on 7-of-11 (63.6%) shooting. Karl Ziegler chipped in double figures with 11 markers.
Murray accounted for the game’s opening four points as he knocked down two free throws and hit a transition jumper. Asante Sandiford got the hosts on the board with a three-ball from the left wing that was assisted by teammate Matt Banton.
After the two conversions by Ziegler, McDevitt threw a cross court pass to Cole who was camping out in the corner. The junior guard caught the ball, shot and swished the rock home to bring his squad within two, 8-6. Four straight from Assumption including a two handed slam by center Nick Pasquale gave them their largest lead of the game.
In the opening two minutes of the second half, a 6-0 mini-run by the Greyhounds put them ahead by a point at 35-34. The Crimson and Grey however took a strangle hold in the game using a game-changing 23-3 scoring binge that was led by an assault from three-point land.
Jordan Lackey tallied 12 points and grabbed five caroms for Franklin Pierce, while Sandiford scored 10 points and snagged four boards. Gittens only played 13 minutes of action, but was productive with six points, four rebounds and four dimes in the win.
The Ravens travel to NE10 foe Merrimack College on Tuesday for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.