Minnifield's second career
double-double sparks Ravens to victory
COLCHESTER, Vt. (November
17, 2006) - Franklin Pierce opened its 2006-07 season with
a 74-63 victory at Saint Michael's College in non-conference men's
basketball action on day one of the 2006 Doubletree Doc Jacobs
Classic at Ross Sports Center tonight.
Senior Darryl Minnifield
(Boston, Mass./Brookline) notched his second career
double-double to lead Franklin Pierce as he matched his career-high
with a game-best 21 points (12 first half) to go with ten rebounds,
four assists (no turnovers) and two steals. Minnifield hit nine of
his 12 shots from the field on the night.
Sophomore Timothy Munch
(Blauvelt, N.Y./Storm King Prep) added 17 points for the
Ravens as he hit 6-of-9 from the floor to go with three rebounds
and a career-best six steals. Senior Sean Mayo (Saco,
Maine/Thornton Academy) rounded out the Ravens
double-figure scorers with 11 points, five rebounds and two blocks.
Senior Nazim Senaldi (Istanbul, Turkey) chipped in
with eight points, four boards (three offensive), three assists and
two steals.
Franklin Pierce connected on
56-percent (28-for-50) of its shots for the contest, including
56.7% (17-30) in building an 11-point halftime lead over the first
half. The Ravens forced 22 Saint Michael's turnovers (13 first
half) and limited the hosts to 44.4% (24-54) shooting from the
field, including 32% (8-25) from three-point
range.
Senior Brendan Mullins
(Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) led Saint
Michael's with 20 points (13 second half) and six assists, while
classmate Chris Cayole (Burlington, Vt./Rice
Memorial) added 14 points (all first half), hitting 5-of-7
from the field (2-3 three's), seven rebounds, four assists, two
blocks and two steals. Junior James Sorrentine (Pawtucket,
R.I./Saint Raphael Academy) rounded out the Purple Knights
double-figure scorers with 11 points (nine first half). Junior
Brian Monahan (Kinderhook, N.Y./Christian Brothers
Academy) grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds (four offensive)
for the hosts.
Saint Michael's led by six (14-8)
after a Mullins three 5:53 into the contest, but Franklin Pierce
answered with a 14-0 run to take an eight point lead of its own
(22-14). Munch and freshman Marcus Wellman (Monroe,
Conn./Hamden Hall) sparked the run with a pair of three's,
while Minnifield book ended the rally with a pair of baskets.
Saint Michael's regained the lead
(24-22) after a pair of Cayole free-throws with 7:16 left in the
half before the Ravens reeled off a 17-3 spurt to take a
double-digit lead (39-27) after a Munch lay up with 2:15 left in
the stanza. Senaldi and Minnifield each netted four points during
the stretch.
Franklin Pierce's lead was 12
(46-34) after a Mayo free-throw 2:46 into the second half. Saint
Michael's got back in the game with a 13-2 run to close within a
point (48-47) after a Mullins jumper with 12:08 on the clock. The
Purple Knights deficit was two (52-50) with 8:04 to play before the
Ravens used an 11-0 run to regain control with a 13-point lead
(63-50) with 4:37 left in regulation. Minnifield converted a pair
of conventional three-point plays in the run.
Franklin Pierce (1-0, 0-0 NE-10) is
back in action tomorrow for a non-conference clash with the
University of New Haven on day two of the Doc Jacobs Classic at 3
p.m. Saint Michael's (0-1, 0-0 NE-10) hosts New Haven on Sunday at
3 p.m.
BOXSCORE
