Recap by Director of Athletic Communications Luke Tracy 

RINDGE, N.H (1/24/2024) – The Franklin Pierce University men's basketball team fell in a high scoring 107-96 finish to the Purple Knights of Saint Michael's College on Wednesday night.  

 Score: Franklin Pierce 96, St. Michael's 107
Records: Franklin Pierce (4-14,2-10 NE10), St. Michael's (14-4,10-2 NE10)
Location: Rindge, NH (The Fieldhouse)
Date: Wednesday, January 24, 2024

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After the long drive from Northern Vermont on Wednesday, the Purple Knights only dressed eight players in the matchup against the Ravens but it proved to be enough as six of them scored at least two dozen points. Romar Reid was highest scoring player of the night after took home 29 points including 11-18 from the field, two three pointers and a perfect five-for-five from the free throw line.
• The Raven offense competed well against the Northeast-10's top team, including a 26- point game from senior forward Sean Trumper (Ashford, UK) and 21-point game from Ugo Nwachukwu (Imo State, Nigeria). Andrew Politi (Salem, N.H.) and Dwayne Robinson O'Hagen (Woonsocket, RI) marked the only other Ravens to break double-digit points with 13 and 11 points respectively.
• The Ravens and Purple Knights traded points through the first half but Saint Michael's went into halftime with a 10-point 55-45 lead.
• After half, the Ravens kept pace with the Knights and with nine minutes left on the clock, the Ravens were within five points of a tie game.
• The Knights were able to shift momentum in the game during the final minutes with a string of big time plays including four 3-pointers and two dunks which brought the bench players to their feet.
• Unable to make a comeback in the late minutes of the second half, the Ravens fell 107-96.

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS:

• Statistically, the two teams were nearly even on all fronts but the Purple Knights created more offensive opportunities and hit shots when it mattered most.
• From the Field:          
  • Ravens: 38-68 (55.9%)
  • Purple Knights: 36-67 (53.7%)
• Three Pointers:
  • Ravens: 10-19 (52.6%)
  • Purple Knights: 16-30 (53.3%)
• Free Throws:
  • Ravens: 10-16 (62.5%)
  • Purple Knights: 19-25 (76%)
• Rebounds:
  • Ravens: 31
  • Purple Knights: 35
• Fastbreak Points:
  • Ravens: 6
  • Purple Knights: 26
• Letting the numbers speak, the Purple Knights were able to knock down more shots at the charity stripe, grab a few more boards, and dominate in the run-and-gun game as the team tallied 20 more points during fast break opportunities.

NEXT FOR THE RAVENS: The Ravens continue their series of home games on Saturday, January 27^th when the team will take on intra-state rival Southern New Hampshire University at 3:30 PM.