Philadelphia, Pa. (December 29) -- On day one of the East Region Classic, the Assumption men's basketball team dropped a 77-62 final to Philadelphia University in non-conference play at the Gallagher Center. The two teams were tied at 27-27 at the halftime break before the Rams pulled away in the second half.

In the opening half, neither team led by more than five points as the Rams held a 27-22 edge with 2:04 left in the period. A jumper from Mike Auriemma (Manchester, Conn./The Hun School) and a three-pointer from senior Kevin Donahue (Pawcatuck, Conn./Stonington) with 42 seconds left sent the game into the half deadlocked.

Over the opening 8:09 of the second half, the Rams surged ahead and held a 50-37 lead after a pair of free throws from Nick Christian. Still trailing by 10 at 57-47 with eight minutes left, Assumption put together an 8-0 run and pulled to within two at 57-55 after a free throw from captain Tim Beinert (Bellerose Village, N.Y./Holy Cross). Beinert had three points in the run, along with five points from Ronson Quick (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee). The Rams ended the game on a 20-7 run though to account for the 15-point final.

Donahue led the Hounds with 23 points, including four three-pointers, while Beinert added 14 points. Nick Schlitzer led three Rams in double figures with a 21-point effort.

In the loss, the Hounds fall to 5-5 overall, while Philadelphia improves to 6-4 overall and has won three straight.

Assumption is back in action on Friday afternoon at day two of the East Region Classic as the Hounds take on Holy Family for a 1 p.m. start at Philadelphia University.