WALTHAM, Mass. (December 12, 2021) – It was yet another afternoon of dramatics for the Franklin Pierce University men's basketball team, which has now seen its last three games decided by a combined 10 points. The Ravens were on the right side of the ledger again on Sunday at Dana Center, as 27 points from junior Isaiah Moore (Temple Hills, Md.) led the way in an 87-86, Northeast-10 Conference victory at Bentley.

With the win Franklin Pierce improves to 5-3 (3-1 NE10), while Bentley falls to 6-2 (3-2 NE10). Bentley will make the return trip to Rindge in February, on the final weekend of the regular season.

The game started even between the Ravens and Falcons, but Bentley took a 12-6 lead on the back of seven early points from sophomore Zach Laput. The Ravens closed the gap quickly and found success on the offensive side of the court, as they took a nine-point lead into halftime, 43-34. Freshman Mohamed Traore (Hyde Park, Mass.) tallied 10 of his 21 points in the opening period.

The second half was just as strong offensively for the Ravens with 44 points, but Bentley found its shooting touch and poured in 52 points in the second half to make things interesting. Moore drilled a three-pointer with 68 seconds to play, which left Franklin Pierce with a six-point lead, 87-81. Bentley got a three-point play from Laput, and then a layup by graduate student Jordan Mello-Klein, to cut the gap to just one point in the closing seconds.

A late Moore foul resulted in a turnover, which gave the Falcons a look for the win, as they worked to set up Mello-Klein for a three-point attempt. Moore atoned for the turnover though, by blocking the shot and securing the rebound, as the Ravens held on.

Moore paced the field with 27 points in the contest, and rounded out his stat line with eight rebounds, seven assists and a pair of blocks. Traore followed close behind with 21 points, while freshman Sean Trumper (Ashford, United Kingdom) and sophomore Matt Hofrenning (Minneapolis, Minn.) notched double digits as well, with 15 and 11 respectfully.

The Falcons were led by Senior Mason Webb with 22 points, while Laput added 21. The latter recorded 14 rebounds as well, to complete his double-double. Mello-Klein notched a double-double as well, and narrowly missed a triple-double, as he went for 17 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.

The Ravens return home to the Fieldhouse for an NE10 matchup with the Stonehill College Skyhawks on Wednesday, Dec. 15. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. following the women's game.