Minnifield returns and leads
Ravens in ending four-game slide
BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (December
29, 2005) - Franklin Pierce put an end to a four-game
losing streak with a commanding 78-49 victory over New York
Institute of Technology on day one of the 2005 LIU-C.W. Post
Holiday Classic at the Pratt Recreation Center this afternoon.
Junior guard Darryl
Minnifield (Boston, Mass./Brookline) returned to the
Franklin Pierce lineup after battling some early season injuries
and led the way with a game-high 18 points, connecting on
seven-of-11 shots from the field, to go with four rebounds and two
steals in just 24 minutes of action.
Freshman Craig Shepherd
(Grantham, N.H./Trinity) came off the bench and
netted a season-best 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field,
including 3-3 from three-point range, and three rebounds. Senior
Justin Powell (Brookline,
Mass./Brookline) added 11 points, on 5-6 shooting,
and four boards, while sophomore Joseph Chatman
(Boston, Mass./BC High) chipped in a team-high six
rebounds and six assists to go with seven points and two steals.
Freshman Bryant
Lassiter (Bayshore, N.Y./Bayshore) led NYIT with 14
points and four steals. Junior Jermain Stokes (Ocala,
Fla./Western Oklahoma State) grabbed a game-high 11
rebounds and blocked four shots, while senior Edwin
Ebanks (Bellerose, N.Y./Floral Park) and freshman
Daniel Cox (Brooklyn, N.Y./Midwood) each
chipped in six points.
Franklin Pierce out-rebounded NYIT
44-29 for the contest and connected on 53.3-percent (32-60) of its
shots from the field, including 7-of-12 (58.3%) from three-point
range. The Bears hit on just 31% (18-58) from the floor, making
just 4-28 (14.3%) from beyond the arc.
The Ravens never trailed and built
a 15-point halftime lead (38-23), holding NYIT scoreless for a
six-minute stretch in opening a double-digit lead (27-14) they
would never relinquish with 5:28 left in the half.
Another five-minute NYIT drought
early in the second half helped Franklin Pierce open a 26-point
cushion (54-28) after a Chatman three-pointer. The Ravens held a
pair of 33-point leads and a 34-point bulge (72-38), after a
Shepherd three with 4:18 to play, down the stretch.
Franklin Pierce (4-4, 1-3 NE-10)
concludes 2005 tomorrow against host LIU-C.W. Post at 5 p.m. The
Pioneers held on for a 72-70 victory over Assumption College in
today's second contest. NYIT (1-7) faces Assumption tomorrow at 3
p.m.
BOXSCORE
