Stonehill Turns Over Saint Michael's, 77-59

Rudowitz and Stallworth lead Skyhawks to third-straight win

Boxscore 

Senior Randall Stallworth scored 16 of his season-high 18 points in the first half, including 11 during a 19-5 run late in the first half that saw the Skyhawks take control of the game.

COLCHESTER, Vt. (November 29, 2009) - Stonehill College picked up its third-straight win with a 77-59 decision over Saint Michael's College in Northeast-10 Conference men's basketball action at Ross Sports Center today.

Seniors A.J. Rudowitz (Monroe Township, N.J./Monroe Township) and Randall Stallworth (Toms River, N.J./Monsignor Donovan) combined for 37 points to lead Stonehill to the win. Rudowitz made 7-of-13 shots from the field, including his lone three-point attempt, while converting 4-of-7 free-throws for a game-high 19 points to go with nine rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot. Stallworth made 7-of-11 shots from the field, including 2-of-4 three's, and converted both free-throw attempts for a season-high 18 points (16 first half) while adding six assists and two steals.

Freshman Sam Markle (Bethany, Conn./Saint Thomas More) chipped in with nine points on 2-for-2 shooting from the field, both three's, and a 3-of-4 effort from the free-throw line.

Freshman Travis Warech (Pine Brook, N.J./Montville) led Saint Michael's with 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field, including 1-for-2 from three-point range, and converting 5-of-6 free-throws to go with four rebounds and two blocked shots. Sophomore Qua'ron Pinkney (Bronx, N.Y./Saint Benedict's Prep) was the only other Purple Knight in double-figures with 11 points (all first half).

Stonehill finished shooting 45.6-percent (26-for-57) from the field, including 7-of-16 (43.8-percent) from three-point range, for the afternoon. The Skyhawks drilled 7-of-13 three-pointers (53.8%) in the first half alone in building an 11-point halftime lead. Saint Michael's made 51.2-percent (21-of-41) of its shots from the field on the day, including 7-of-14 (50%) from beyond the arc. The Purple Knights shot 57.9% (11-of-19) in the first half.

Stonehill took advantage of 19 Saint Michael's turnovers, while committing just nine themselves, to post a 19-7 margin in points off turnovers. The Skyhawks also buried the Purple Knights 17-4 on second chance points after out-rebounding the hosts 34-27, limiting SMC to just four offensive rebounds, while pulling down 14 themselves.

Saint Michael's led by a game-high four points (24-20) for the third time after a Pinkney layup with 7:12 left in the first half. Stonehill answered by posting a 19-5 run over the next six minutes to open a ten point lead (39-29) after a Rudowitz put back with 1:35 left in the half. Stallworth put the Skyhawks on top for good (28-27) earlier in the run with a three-pointer with 4:40 to play in the half. He had 11 of his 18 points in the game during that stretch. Markle sent the Skyhawks into halftime with an 11-point lead (43-32) with a three-pointer with 34-seconds left in the half.

Stonehill picked up where it left off in the second half, staking out a 15-point lead (51-36) after a Stallworth jumper 4:16 into the frame. Saint Michael's wouldn't get within double-digits the rest of the way and the Skyhawks led by as much as 22 (72-50) after two free-throws by junior Daniel Heppert (Richmond, Va./Benedictine) with 2:29 to play.

Stonehill (3-1, 2-0 NE-10) is back in action on Wednesday when it visits Saint Anselm College at 7:30 p.m. The Skyhawks return home next Saturday, December 5, to host Southern New Hampshire University at 3:30 p.m. Saint Michael's (3-2, 1-2 NE-10) travels to Southern New Hampshire on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.