Box Score 
THE BASICS:
- Score: Assumption 74, Stonehill 59
- Records: Assumption (1-2, 1-0 NE-10); Stonehill (2-1, 0-1 NE-10)
- Location: Easton, Mass. (Merkert Gymnasium)
- The Lead: The Assumption College Men's Basketball team knocked off the reigning East Region Champion Stonehill College, 74-59 in the NE-10 opener for both teams tonight at Merkert Gymnasium.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Assumption received a nice addition to the squad when senior Karl Ziegler (Annandale, Va. / Annandale) suited up for the first time this season after sitting out the Assumption Tip-Off Classic this past weekend with an injury. Ziegler opened the game with back-to-back jumpers as the Hounds led 4-2 early on.
- The teams exchanged baskets as they felt each other out to start the game, but with Assumption down 10-8, senior Marcus Murray (Washington, D.C. / John F. Kennedy) hit a jumper and followed that up with a three pointer to put the Hounds in front 13-10. Freshman Branislav Vujadinovic (Belgrade, Serbia / St. Joseph) then connected on a three of his own to up the lead to 16-10. After Stonehill scored a pair of baskets, Assumption went on an 8-0 run (24-14) highlighted by four points from Ziegler.
- Down ten points, Stonehill buckled down and went on its own 8-0 run to bring the score to within two points (24-22), but Assumption kept the Skyhawks within arm's length by extending the lead to seven points (29-22), as sophomore Damien Rance (Melbourne, Australia / Pope John XXIII) connected on a jump shot and classmate Justin Tuckson (Stafford, Va. / Christ Chapel Academy) followed up with a three pointer.
- Every time Stonehill went on a run to get back into the game, Assumption had an answer. The Skyhawks pulled within four points when Will Moreton made a layup (29-25), but senior Declan Soukup (Melbourne, Australia / Hallam Senior College) nailed back-to-back three pointers for the Hounds and sophomore Nick Pasquale (Shrewsbury, Mass. / Worcester Academy) hit a layup to extend the lead back to ten points, 37-27. A quick 5-0 run by Stonehill ended the half with the score 37-32.
- Stonehill opened the second half determined to get out in front as the Skyhawks scored five more unanswered points to tie the game at 37 points apiece. Ziegler stopped their momentum momentarily with a basket but Stonehill came right back down and scored again (39-39). Tuckson then went on a tear, scoring the next 11 points for the Hounds on three 3-pointers and a layup, as the Hounds led 50-41 with 12:48 left in the game.
- A quick 9-3 spurt gave Assumption a 59-44 lead, its largest of the game. The Hounds extended their lead when Freshman Patrick Fleming (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. / Iona Prep) hit a free throw and Ziegler made a jump shot to push the lead to 67-51 with 4:13 remaining in regulation.
- Assumption salted away the clock, scoring to maintain the lead they built throughout the game. Fittingly, Ziegler scored the final two points of the game to end the scoring at 74-59 and give the Hounds a huge conference win in the NE-10 opener for both teams.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Ziegler and Tuckson paced Assumption's offense tonight, as the duo scored 16 points apiece to lead the Hound offense. Ziegler chipped in with seven rebounds, while Tuckson recorded five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
- Rance registered a double-double, tallying 15 points and 10 rebounds. Murray also scored in double figures to contribute to a balanced attack, tallying 11 points with a team leading four assists and two steals.
- Stonehill was led by Ryan Logan who scored 19 points to go with eight rebounds and two assists. Will Moreton chipped in with 10 points, while Joel Berroa recorded 10 points off the bench for the Skyhawks.
- As a team, Assumption shot 45.8% (27-59) from the field and 45% (9-20) from long distance, while holding Stonehill to 44.7% (21-47) from the floor and 6.3% (1-16) from three.
- Assumption out-rebounded Stonehill 32-29 and committed just 11 turnovers to the Skyhawks 22. The Hounds were able to convert Stonehill's turnovers into 25 points, while the Skyhawks only managed 11 points off of Assumption's turnovers.
NEXT:
- Assumption returns to action on Saturday, November 19th as the Hounds host Saint Michael's for a NE-10 battle starting at 3 p.m.
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