Easton, Mass. (December 4) -- On Wednesday night at Merkert Gym, the Assumption College men's basketball team came up just short in a 61-56 final at Stonehill College in Northeast-10 Conference action.

Assumption jumped out to a quick 10-5 lead over the opening 4:21, capped by a three-point play from junior Jimmy Zenevitch (Methuen, Mass./Central Catholic). The Skyhawks answered with an 18-2 run over the next 5:23 however and pushed the lead into double digits for the first time at 23-12 midway thru the period. The Hounds cut the lead down to six on a Zenevitch layup with 3:04 left before a 6-2 Stonehill spurt sent the game into the half at 36-26 in favor of the Skyhawks.

The Hounds started the second half on an 8-3 run to pull within 39-34 before a three from Adam Bramanti extended the Skyhawk lead back to 42-34 with 12:04 on the clock. Assumption pulled nearly all the way back at 49-48 with 4:47 remaining after a jumper from sophomore Julian Aiken (Randolph, N.J./Randolph) before the Skyhawks answered with a three from Carter Smith. The Hounds were within two with 3:13 on the clock, but a layup from Jack Cole and a corner three by Pierce Cumpstone extended the lead back to seven. Back-to-back Zenevitch layups pulled Assumption to within one possession, but that was the closest the visitors would get.

Zenevitch led the Hounds with a season-high 24 points to along with nine rebounds, while freshman Marcus Murray (Silver Spring, Md./John F. Kennedy) finished in double figures with 12. Bramanti led Stonehill with a game-high 18 points.

With the loss, Assumption falls to 1-8 overall and 0-5 in the Northeast-10, while Stonehill improves to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in league play.

Assumption is back in action on Saturday, December 7th as the Hounds travel to Merrimack College for a 3 p.m. start.

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.