Both of Franklin Pierce's victories during its winning streak have come against opponents with winning records

BOXSCORE 

PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. (January 6, 2010) - The Franklin Pierce University men's basketball team won its second game in a row on Wednesday, this time via a thrilling 80-72 overtime victory at Pace in the Goldstein Fit Center in Pleasantville, N.Y. The Ravens evened their record at 6-6 overall and 2-6 in the Northeast-10, while Pace fell to 7-6 and 5-3 in league play. Both of Franklin Pierce's victories during its recent winning streak have come against opponents with winning records.

Freshman guard Eric Jean-Guillaume (Stamford, Conn.) pumped in a game-high 24 points on 8-of-16 shooting from the floor. He also pulled down five rebounds, swiped four steals and handed out an assist.

Three other Ravens scored in double-figures, including junior guard Kinard Dozier (Dedham, Mass.), who had 16 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals. Senior forward Terrell Ray (Brooklyn, N.Y.) had 14 points, six boards, two assists, one block and a steal, while classmate Marcus Wellman (Monroe, Conn.) went 3-of-3 from behind the arc and had 10 points.

Three Setters scored in double-digits, including Ryan Woods' team-high 21 points.

The game was a back-and-forth affair as there were 14 ties and lead changes. The Ravens found themselves trailing 72-70 with 3:05 remaining in overtime after Pace guard Laurence McGhee laid in a basket. Jean-Guillaume laid in a basket 90 seconds later to knot the game at 72, while also drawing a foul which sent him to the free throw line for a potential three-point play. He missed the foul shot, but Dozier swooped into the lane, grabbed the loose ball, and tossed it back into the basket while forcing Woods to foul him on the shot. Dozier converted the free throw and the Ravens held a 75-72 edge with 1:18 remaining in the contest.

Adedamola Abu (Mattapan, Mass.) and Wellman each made a free throw to push Franklin Pierce's lead out to five with :18 remaining. Pace brought the ball back up the court following Wellman's free throw, but Dozier picked Woods' pocket and raced back down the court for a layup. Dozier was also fouled on the shot and converted the ensuing free throw for the three-point play to cap the scoring and seal the win for the Ravens.

The game went to overtime following a frantic final seven minutes of basketball in regulation. Woods hit three-straight free throws to stake Pace to a 61-57 lead, but Franklin Pierce would respond with a 7-0 run to go up by three with 2:47 left. Jean-Guillaume got the rally started with a driving layup down the baseline. Sophomore center John Hegarty (New Bedford, Mass.) followed with a nice spin move and layup in the low post, and Jean-Guillaume laid in another basket moments later. He hit a free throw to cap a three-point play and the Ravens had a 64-61 advantage.

McGhee scored four-straight points for the Setters to give them a 65-64 lead with 1:52 to go. Those were four of McGhee's 15 points for the game.

Dozier answered with a layup to put the Ravens up by one at 66-65, but McGhee followed by making one-of-two free throws with :30 left to knot the game. Franklin Pierce held for the final shot, but Jeff Manchester's (Gorham, Maine) jumper from the left corner just rattled out of the rim as time expired.

Franklin Pierce led by as many as 10 points in the contest as it built a 30-20 lead with 6:37 remaining in the first half following a layup by Hegarty.

The men's team returns to action Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. when it plays host to Saint Rose in the second game of a doubleheader at The Fieldhouse in Rindge. The top-ranked women's team will also face the Golden Knights at 1:30 p.m. Saturday's doubleheader is part of "Rocky the Raven Kids Day," as local children are invited to come catch all the exciting action of Franklin Pierce basketball. Kids who attend the games with a paying adult will be admitted for free. There will be several events held throughout the afternoon and lots of prizes will be given away, including temporary Raven tattoos. Both teams will also take part in post-game autograph sessions as kids will have the opportunity to meet their favorite Raven players.

For more information on Franklin Pierce men's basketball, or "Rocky the Ravens Kids Day," please visit the team's page at athletics.franklinpierce.edu(.)