COLCHESTER, Vt. (January 31, 2022) -- Twelve three-pointers keyed a 48-point first half on Monday night, as the Franklin Pierce University men's basketball team built a 26-point halftime lead on the way to a 79-61 road win in Northeast-10 Conference play at Saint Michael's. Freshman Mohamed Traore (Hyde Park, Mass.) and junior Maxwell Zegarowski (South Hamilton, Mass.) led the way with 20 points apiece, while junior Isaiah Moore (Temple Hills, Md.) chipped in 14.

With the win, Franklin Pierce improves to 10-5 (7-3 NE10), while Saint Michael's falls to 5-13 (1-10 NE10). Saint Michael's will make the return trip to Rindge on Saturday, Feb. 12.

It was The Max Zegarowski Show in the first half for the Ravens, as the Bay State native went a perfect 6-fo-6 from the floor, including a quintet of three-pointers, on the way to 17 points in the opening 20 minutes. Traore did the majority of his damage in the opening stanza as well, as he went for 14 points and the duo combined for 31 points, to easily outscore a Saint Michael's squad which managed only 22 first-half points. In all, Franklin Pierce would build up a 48-22 lead heading into halftime.

The Purple Knights held the advantage in the second half, 39-31, though it was far too little, too late for the home-standing squad. Freshman Jacob Duniver paved the way for Saint Michael's as the only double-digit scorer in the half with 12 points. Moore collected nine points in the half while dishing out six assists.

Moore finished the game with a double-double stat line with 14 points and 14 assists in 33 minutes of work. Zegarowski was a single rebound from a double-double of his own, with nine boards to go along with his 20 points. Traore put together his fifth 20-point outing of the year and added four rebounds, three assists and a steal along the way.

The Ravens really pressed their advantage from long range on Monday night, as their 18-for-39 (46.2%) three-point shooting barrage easily outclassed a 6-for-26 (23.1%) performance from Saint Michael's. The Purple Knights did enjoy a 34-10 advantage in points in the paint, but it was not enough to counter the three-point onslaught from Franklin Pierce.

Saint Michael's had to settle for a pair of players in double figures, as Duniver finished with 12 points and freshman Chuma Oyigbo chipped in 11 more. Senior Patrick Gardner snagged a game-high 10 rebounds.

Next up for the Ravens is a road matchup against intra-state and NE10 rival Southern New Hampshire University. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday in Manchester, N.H.