Worcester, Mass. (November 25) -- Assumption jumped out to a 22-point lead in the first half before holding off a late Pace University rally as the Hounds defeated the Setters by an 81-78 final on Sunday afternoon in Northeast-10 Conference play. The 5-0 start is the best start for Assumption since a 6-0 start in the 2003-2004 season.

Assumption was in control over the first five minutes as the Hounds used a trio of three-pointers from Kevin Donahue (Pawcatuck, Conn./Stonington) to jump out to a 16-2 lead and force a Pace timeout. The Hounds kept up the pressure and with 8:55 left in the period after another Donahue three, Assumption led by its biggest margin at 32-10. Pace ended the half on a 17-9 run though and closed the score to 41-27 at the break following a David Eismeier basket in the final seconds of the half.

In the second period, the Hounds held a comfortable lead at 59-42 with 12 minutes left following a three-point play from sophomore Terrance Bobb-Jones (Wilmington, Del./Delcastle-Voc Tech). An 18-4 Pace run over the next 5:28 though, capped by a basket from Kai Smith, closed the visitors to within three at 63-60 with 6:32 remaining in the game.

Assumption answered with a run of its own and after another three-point play from Bobb-Jones, the Hounds led 75-65. Pace kept the up the pressure though and took advantage of four missed Assumption free throws in the final minute to have one last shot at forcing overtime. A three-pointer in the final seconds by Pace junior Denzel Primus-Devonish was wide as the Hounds hung on for the three-point victory to remain unbeaten.

Donahue led the Hounds with 21 points as he knocked down seven three-pointers in the win. Bobb-Jones added 17 points on 7-for-9 shooting, along with 14 points from senior Ronson Quick (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee) and 10 points from freshman Tim Kasper (Cologne, Germany/Gymnasium Schloss Hagerhof). Senior Ryan Rozsnaki (Montreal, Quebec/Landstown) posed an 11-rebound, 15-assist double-double as well, along with three steals and six points as he narrowly missed out on his second career triple-double. Rozsnaki's 15 assists were a career-high as he registered 15 of the 23 Assumption assists in the game.

Primus-Devonish led three Setters in double figures with 19 points, along with 17 points off the bench from Jonathan Merceus and 10 from Smith.

With the win, the Hounds improve to 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the Northeast-10, while Pace falls to 3-2 overall and 1-2 in league play.

Assumption is back in action on Wednesday, November 28th as the Hounds host the University of New Haven for a 7:30 p.m. start at Laska Gym.

Live video is available online at www.assumptiongreyhounds.tv, with Roei Biberstain calling the action.

For the latest on Assumption College Athletics, follow the Hounds via social media on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. For more information, contact the Office of Athletic Communications at 508-767-7240.