Worcester, Mass. (December 1) -- On Sunday afternoon, the Assumption College men's basketball team fell to visiting Franklin Pierce University  by an 89-69 final in a Northeast-10 Conference game at Laska Gym. The Hounds held a 32-30 halftime edge before the Ravens, who are receiving votes in this week's NABC National Poll, pulled away in the second half for the victory.

Assumption started the game on a 7-0 run over 2:35, capped by a layup from junior captain Jimmy Zenevitch (Methuen, Mass./Central Catholic) for two of the team's 32 points in the paint for the game. Franklin Pierce got its offense going however and got out to an eight-point edge at 26-18 with 6:02 left in the half after a layup from Donte Gittens. The half full of runs by both teams flipped back to the Hounds over the final six minutes as Assumption finished the period on a 14-4 run behind baskets from five different players as Assumption held a 32-30 halftime lead.

In the second half, Assumption opened up a five-point lead at 45-40 behind five straight points from sophomore Chris Fitzgerald (Somerset, Mass./Somerset). The teams were even thru the first 10 minutes of the second as the Hounds tied the back-and-forth game at 61-61 with 10:03 left after a three-pointer from freshman Marcus Murray (Silver Spring, Md./John F. Kennedy). From that point on it was Franklin Pierce that took control as the Ravens outscored the Hounds 28-8 over the final 10 minutes to pull away for the victory.

Zenevitch finished with an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double, his second double-double of the season. Murray added 17 points and a team-high six assists as he has finished in double figures scoring in three straight games. Fitzgerald finished with 11 points, while senior Emiliano Void (Montreal, Quebec/Lockeport Regional) finished with double-digits rebounds for the second-straight game with 11 boards.

Senior Ellis Cooper led the Ravens with a 27-point, 15-rebound double-double as three Ravens were in double figures. Gittens posted 16 points to go along with seven rebounds, along with 11 points from Andre Blackwood.

Assumption falls to 1-7 overall and 0-4 in the Northeast-10, while Franklin Pierce improves to 8-1 overall and 3-1 in the league.

Assumption is back in action on Wednesday, December 4th as the Hounds travel to Stonehill for a 7:30 p.m. start at Merkert Gym.

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.