WORCESTER, Mass.— The Assumption University men's basketball team exploded out of the gates as they used smothering defense to blitz Saint Anselm 81-65 in Northeast-10 Conference action Saturday afternoon in Andrew Laska Gymnasium. 
 
THE BASICS
Score: Assumption University 81, Saint Anselm College 65
Records: Greyhounds (15-6, 10-4 NE10) | Hawks (13-8, 8-5 NE10)

HOW IT HAPPENED: 
The Greyhounds exploded out of the gates as they went on a 14-2 run to begin the game, with Daouda Dembele leading the charge with five points. The Assumption defense held Saint Anselm to just 1-of-4 and forced three turnovers in the opening four minutes. The Blue and White continued to apply the pressure throughout the first half, as they would see their largest lead of the opening half following a Njavan Stewart three-pointer at the 2:10 mark to go up 18 (42-24). The Assumption defense forced 11 Saint Anselm turnovers while adding nine steals and five blocks as they headed into the intermission up 42-29. 
 
In the second half, Assumption continued to pull away and would see their lead grow to as large as 28 points (71-43) following Jamal Barnes hitting a pair of free throws. Saint Anselm would slowly chip away at the deficit, as they would outscore the Greyhounds 22-10 over the final 6:27, but Assumption would come away with an 81-65 decisive home win. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Jamal Barnes and Njavan Stewart had the game-high in points, with 15 points apiece; Dauoda Dembele (12) and Zee McCown (11) eclipsed the double-digit point plateau. 
• Assumption outrebounded Saint Anselm 44-40 while also outscoring the opposition in second-chance points (16-5) and the paint (34-32). 
• The Greyhounds set new high watermarks this season with 13 three-pointers made and ten blocked shots. 
• Lenny Tangishaka filled the stat sheet with four points, six rebounds, two assists, four steals, and three blocks. 
• In two wins against the Hawks this year, the Greyhounds have won by an average of 19.5 points. 
• Saint Anselm continues to lead the all-time series 40-36. 

 
UP NEXT:

• Assumption vs. Saint Michael's, Wednesday, February 5, 7:30 pm.   
• Saint Anselm vs. University of New Haven, Wednesday, February 5, 7:30 pm.   

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