Senior Colin Scanlon had four points, seven rebounds and four assists in the Skyhawks' 54-53 loss to Assumption.

Baldarelli's Bomb Does In Skyhawks

Boxscore

Easton, Mass. - Assumption sophomore Mike Baldarelli dropped in a rightside three-pointer with four seconds remaining lifting visiting Assumption over Stonehill, 54-53, on Saturday afternoon at Merkert Gymnasium.

The Skyhawks looked like they had regained momentum after erasing a six-point second half deficit and moving ahead 50-49 following a pair of free throws by A.J. Rudowitz (Monroe, N.J.) with 2:30 left.

Over the next two minutes both teams were held scoreless and Stonehill, which entered the contest as the Northeast-10's fourth best free throw shooting team, missed three straight and four of six from the foul line - a turn of events that gave Assumption all the extra life it would need.

With 34 seconds left, Rudowitz made a pair from the line that gave the Skyhawks a 52-49 lead but a basket by Greg Twomey had the lead at 52-51 with 27 seconds left. He missed his game-tying free throw attempt and on Stonehill's next possession, the Skyhawks also split a pair from the line leaving the game at 53-51 with 25 seconds left.

Assumption's Marek Kulig missed his three-point attempt so wildly that a scramble for the rebound ensued. The Greyhounds' Savoy Fraine, who finally corralled the ball out near midcourt, found a wide open Balderalli who drained the go-ahead shot in front of the Assumption bench.

Stonehill never got off a final attempt and Assumption (5-3, 4-2 Northeast-10) escaped with a win that moved them ahead of the Skyhawks (6-2, 3-2 Northeast-10) in the Northeast-10 standings.

The Skyhawks held the lead for the first 26 minutes of the game until a Mitch Bajema finish on the end of the fast break finally gave the Greyhounds the lead at 33-32 with 14 minutes left.

The game was tied five times and the second half and the lead traded hands a total of nine times.

Neither team shot the ball well, with both connecting on just 37 percent of their shots.

Stonehill had another balanced effort getting four players in double figures led by Mike Kernan (Medford, N.J.) who took game-high honors with 13 points and seven rebounds in just 21 minutes. Randall Stallworth (Toms River, N.J.) added 12 points, while Matt Hall (Springfield, Mass.) had 11 including a pair of two-handed dunks and Rudowitz chipped in with 10 points and eight boards.

Despite a 5-for-15 shooting effort, Baldarelli led the Greyhounds with 13 points, while Patrick Shea added 12 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.

Stonehill returns to action on Tuesday when they host Southern Connecticut at 7:30 p.m. at Merkert Gymnasium.