Worcester, Mass. (November 16) -- Assumption used a 7-0 second-half run to jump out an eight-point lead before holding off visiting American International by a 59-52 final in the Northeast-10 Conference opener for both teams. The Assumption victory snaps a three-game Yellow Jacket winning streak in the all-time series.

The two teams played an even first half as neither team led by more than five points over the final 6:59 of the period. Freshman Jimmy Zenevitch (Methuen, Mass./Central Catholic) and captain Tim Beinert (Bellerose Village, N.Y./Holy Cross) led the Hounds with eight points each, while David Campbell (Boston, Mass./Madison Park) had nine points in 12 minutes to lead the Yellow Jackets.

In the opening minute of the second half, American International pushed out to a 34-29 edge, led by a three from the top of the key by Sesoo Ikpah (Williamstown, N.J.). Assumption kept up the pressure though after a putback by Beinert, it was a 38-37 Yellow Jacket lead with 13:44 remaining in the second half. With the game tied at 41, the Hounds used a quick 5-0 run, capped by a three-pointer off a screen by Kevin Donahue (Pawcatuck, Conn./Stonington) to jump out to the 46-41 lead.

The Hounds were held scoreless over the next four minutes of action and AIC cut the lead down to one before junior Mike Auriemma (Manchester, Conn./East Catholic/The Hun School) knocked down a three to push the lead back to four at 49-45 with 6:38 left. Leading by a 54-50 margin with 2:40 left, Donahue extended the Hounds lead back to seven as he knocked down a three-pointer from the corner with 1:48 remaining. The Hounds never let American International inch any closer over the final minutes either as Assumption took the seven-point victory.

Beinert paced four Greyhounds in double figures with a 13-point effort, along with eight rebounds. Campbell led all scorers in the game for American International with 17 points.

With the win, the Hounds improve to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in Northeast-10 play, while the Yellow Jackets are now 0-2 overall and 0-1 in league action.

Assumption is back in action on Tuesday, November 22nd as the Hounds host Southern Connecticut for a 7:30 p.m. start at Laska Gym.