WORCESTER, Mass – Fueled by a career-high 46 points from the hot hand of Kasey Draper, the Assumption University men's basketball team knocked off Saint Michael's College, 94-80 Saturday afternoon in Northeast-10 Conference action.
 
THE BASICS
Score: Assumption University 94, Saint Michael's College 80
Records: Greyhounds (8-7, 4-5 NE10), Purple Knights (12-3, 8-1 NE10)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
In a battle against the top team in the conference, Assumption came to play and put out some of their best offense all season despite some of the injuries across the roster. Kasey Draped got things going with a jumper, and it certainly wouldn't be his last, as he would pour in 26 first-half points on 10-15 shooting, one shy of his season-high in just the first half. Up 14-12, the Hound would spark a quick 6-0 run to open up the game, and the Purple Knights would be chasing for the rest of the first half. With excellent bench play from Kyle Gaskins and Njavan Stewart, the Hounds extended their lead to 35-19, leading directly to a Saint Michael's timeout. Gaskins was another star of the show in the opening half, as he dished out eight assists, the most on the squad by far. The excellent ball movement and fantastic shot-making gave the Hounds their best half of the season, as they led 48-33 into the break.
 
Saint Michael's opened the second half with a 10-2 run, leading to an Assumption timeout, as the Hound's only basket in the opening five minutes was a breakaway steal by Kani Glover. Out of the break, the Hounds strung together some baskets, as Glover had the first 11 points of the half for the home side to keep Assumption up 59-51. The Hounds weathered the storm from the undefeated Purple Knights, and a corner three from Daouda Dembele put the home side back up double digits 65-53, leading to a Saint Michael's timeout. Draper continued to pour it on, as his three at 6:29 gave him 37 points and forced Saint Michael's into a timeout, as Assumption led 73-59. Up eight with 2:57 to go, Assumption was on the verge of giving the Purple Knights their first conference loss of the year. It became a fouling and free throw contest for the remainder of the game, as the Hounds were up 87-77 with 1:20 left. Time eventually ran out, as Assumption picked up a massive 94-80 victory over Saint Michael's, fueled by 46 points from Kasey Draper.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Draper scored his 46 points on 17-of-27 shooting from the floor.
• Daouda Dembele recorded a double-double with 16 points and ten rebounds while adding three assists and two blocks.
• Assumption outrebounded Saint Michael's 40-38 while outscoring the Purple Knights 32-20 in the paint.
• Assumption now leads the all-time series 37-28.

 
UP NEXT

• AU at Adelphi, Tuesday, January 16, 7:30 pm
• SMC at American International, Tuesday, January 16, 7:30 pm

 
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