Senior Randall Stallworth scored seven key points late, including the 1,000th of his career to become the 34th 1,000-point scorer in program history tonight at Assumption.

Tough D Leads Stonehill Past Assumption, 59-51

Skyhawks shoot 45.2-percent from the field in the second half, while holding Greyhounds to 21.4% shooting to pick up third-straight win

Boxscore 

WORCESTER, Mass. (January 12, 2010) - Stonehill College, among teams receiving votes in this week's National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division II poll, held its position atop the Northeast-10 Conference standings by posting a 59-51 victory at Assumption College in men's basketball action at Laska Gymnasium tonight.

Senior forward A.J. Rudowitz (Monroe Township, N.J./Monroe Township) led Stonehill with 13 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field to go with six rebounds, two assists and two blocked shots. Junior Mike Kernan (Medford, N.J./Shawnee) added 12 points, shooting 6-for-10 from the field, and seven rebounds, while freshman Brian Hamor (Guilderland, N.Y./Bishop Gibbons) contributed nine points and five boards.

Senior Randall Stallworth (Toms River, N.J./Monsignor Donovan) chipped in with seven points, six rebounds and two assists. Stallworth drained two free-throws with 38.2 seconds left in regulation to become the 34^th player in program history to reach the 1,000-point plateau and help clinch the victory.

Senior A.J. Rudowitz posted 13 points, six rebounds, two assists and two blocks in the victory.

Senior Courtland Bluford (Fort Washington, Md./Saint Vincent Pallotti) led Assumption with 14 points, aided by 7-of-13 shooting from the field, five rebounds and three steals. Sophomore Kevin Donahue (Pawcatuck, Conn./Stonington) added ten points, while sophomore Tim Beinert (Floral Park, N.Y./Holy Cross) chipped in nine points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots.

Stonehill shot 45.2-percent (14-for-31) in the second half to finish at 39.7% (25-63) shooting for the night. Assumption was held to 31.7-percent (19-for-60) shooting from the field, including just 26.5% (9-34) in the second half. The Skyhawks finished with a 42-40 rebounding advantage, marking the 14^th time in 15 games this season they have out-rebounded their opponent.

Stonehill trailed by two at halftime (27-25) and rallied in the second to pick up its sixth win in seven games when behind at the break this season. The Skyhawks quickly regained the lead in the second half, taking a four-point lead (33-29) after a Rudowitz layup 2:28 into the half. Stonehill extended its lead to seven (42-35) after a Rudowitz jumper with 11:21 remaining.

Assumption closed within two points (45-43) after a jumper from junior Tobin Haase (Southold, N.Y./Ridgewood) with 7:19 to play. Stonehill then reeled off seven-straight points to gain a nine-point advantage (52-43) after another Rudowitz basket with 5:09 remaining. The Greyhounds were back within three (54-51) after a Bluford jumper with 1:298 to go, but the Skyhawks held the Greyounds right there and Stallworth iced the win with four-straight free-throws, including his 1,000^th career point, in the final minute.

Stonehill (12-3, 9-1 NE-10) is back in action on Saturday when it hosts the University of New Haven in Merkert Gymnasium at 3:30 p.m. Assumption (7-7, 4-6 NE-10) visits 19^th-ranked Bentley University on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.