AMHERST, NY. —The Assumption University men's basketball team advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Division II East Regional as the Greyhounds knocked off the defending champions, Southern New Hampshire, with a 92-66 rout Saturday afternoon. 
 
THE BASICS:
Scores: No. 6 Assumption University 92, No. 3 Southern New Hampshire University 66
Records: Greyhounds (20-9, 14-6 NE10), Penmen (21-9, 14-6 NE10)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Out of the gate, it was a three-point shooting contest. The first five baskets rained in from beyond the arc and helped Southern NH jump ahead to an early 9-3 lead. Assumption responded from all ranges to mount a 14-point run. Lenny Tangishaka and Tayshawn Cunningham-Pemberton led the first-half surge. When the Greyhounds' second unit took the court for the first time just five minutes in, they didn't drop a step. Njavan Stewart and Noah Payne connected on two quick scores to push the Hounds ahead 19-11. In their five-minute shift, Stewart and Payne, accompanied by Kyle Hicks and Baril Mawo, grew the Greyhounds' lead to 30-16 by the midway point of the opening half. Securely in the driver's seat, Assumption held to their gameplan and built a 54-32 lead at halftime. Cunningham-Pemberton scored 17 in the first half on his way to a game-high 24. Known for their depth, the Hounds flexed their muscle with their bench. Assumption's bench outscored SNHU's 30-3 in the first half alone. 
 
In the second half, the Greyhounds just needed to hold on and avoid the madness of March. Daouda Dembele made the first two baskets of the half, putting the Hounds' best paw forward. From there, the game played out physically, and Assumption could keep the Penmen at arm's length. The final 15 minutes of play, the Greyhound's lead never dipped below 20 points.
 
BY THE NUMBERS:

• The Hounds scored 16 second chance points compared to eight from the Penmen.
• Assumption's bench totaled 40 points.
• The Greyhounds attacked the paint, outscoring SNHU 38-22. 
• Speed was also a factor, with the Hounds notching 22 fast break points compared to six from the Penmen. 
• Cunningham-Pemberton led the game with 24 points. He went 12-16 from the charity stripe and tied for the game-high in rebounds with eight. 
• Assumption shot 33.3 percent from three-point distance and 78.8 percent from the free throw line. 
• Southern NH leads the all-time series against Assumption 40-18. 

 
UP NEXT:

• Assumption vs. Dominican University in the NCAA East Regional Semifinal Buffalo, N.Y.) tomorrow, Sunday, March 16, at 5:00 pm. 

 
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