AMHERST, NY. —The No. 6-seeded Assumption University men's basketball team is heading back to the NCAA Division II East Regional Championship game, as the Greyhounds defeated the No. 7-seeded Dominican University of New York 81-75 in the second round of the NCAA Championship, Sunday evening 
 
THE BASICS:
Scores: No. 6 Assumption University 81, No. 7 Dominican University of New York 75
Records: Greyhounds (21-9, 14-6 NE10), Chargers (21-9, 14-2 CACC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Assumption started fast, as Tayeshawn Cunningham-Pemberton hit a pair of free-throws before a quick steal and a quick three-pointer by Jamal Barnes put the Greyhounds up 5-0 in the first 50 seconds of the contest. The Blue and White would slowly expand their lead to 13-8 following a driving layup by Lenny Tangishaka, but the Dominican would go on a quick 7-1 run to take their first lead of the day at 15-14. The Chargers would maintain a 20-18 lead with five minutes to go, but Barnes would score eight of the Greyhounds' 13 points to head into the intermission up 31-28. 

After Jaden Honis tied the game for Dominican with a three-pointer to open up the second half, Zee McCown personally outscored the Chargers 7-4, while Tangishaka added a layup to put Assumption up 40-35 before the 15-minute mark. The two teams would trade baskets over the next few minutes, but Assumption would hit seven of nine free throws over that span to go up nine (58-47). The Greyhounds would see their first double-digit lead come with 5:40 remaining in regulation, as Tangishaka converted and-one (66-56). The Chargers would not go quietly as they slowly chipped away at the deficit down to three (75-72), but Assumption would close out the game on a 6-3 run to clinch the second-round win (81-75)

BY THE NUMBERS:

• Tayeshawn Cunningham-Pemberton led four Greyhounds in double-figures with 19 points while adding four rebounds, four assists, and three steals. 
• Assumption outrebounded Dominican 43-36 and won the points in the paint (36-26) and the fast break points (26-6) battles. 
• The biggest key to the game, the Greyhounds hit 26-of-38 (68.4 percent) of their free throws, while the Chargers went 16-of-31 (51.6 percent) from the charity stripe. 
• This is Assumption's first Sweet Sixteen appearance since 2008
• They are the first six seed in the East Region to reach the Sweet 16 since St. Thomas Aquinas did it in 2019
• The freshman duo of Zee McCown and Lenny Tangishaka combined for 29 points, nine rebounds, four assists, four blocks, and two steals. 
• Assumption leads the all-time series 5-3. 

 
UP NEXT:

• Assumption vs. St. Thomas Aquinas in the NCAA East Regional Championship (Amherst, N.Y.), Tuesday, March 18, at 7:00 pm. 

 
 
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