Recap by Student-Staff Writer Rich Rosa 

WORCESTER, M.A (2/17/2024) – Franklin Pierce men's basketball battled in the team's closest game in nearly a month on Saturday afternoon, but ultimately fell to the Assumption Greyhounds 79-78. In a game that came down to the wire, Assumption grabbed the one-point lead with two successful free throws with one second left on the clock. 

Score: Franklin Pierce 78, Assumption 79
Records: Franklin Pierce (4-21, 2-17 NE-10), Assumption (14-11, 10-9 NE-10)
Location: Worcester, M.A (Andrew Laska Gym)
Date: Saturday, February 17, 2024

HOW IT HAPPENED:
• Both teams traded baskets in the first half but going into halftime, Franklin Pierce held a 39-31 lead.
• The Greyhounds took over in the second half and outscored the Ravens 48-39. There were two lead changes in the final two minutes of the game. Junior forward Ja'Keese Kemp (Lakeland, FL) gave Franklin Pierce a 78-77 lead with 1:26 to go. The Greyhounds made two free throws with one second left to take the one point lead. Assumption held on for the 79-78 win and snapped their two-game losing streak.
• Assumption graduate guard Alex Carlisle led all scorers with 24 points and was 9 for 12 from the field. Graduate guard Kani Glover finished the afternoon with a double-double. He had 12 points and 12 rebounds.
• Franklin Pierce had five players finish in double figures. Sophomore guard Pierce Prendergast (Bayport, NY) had 14 points and shot 5 for 14 from the field. Freshman guard Thomas Prendergast (Bayport, NY) had 10 points and shot 4 for 8 from the field. Junior guard Dwayne Robinson O'Hagen (Woonsocket, RI) had 10 points and shot 5 for 11 from the field. Sophomore guard Andrew Politi (Salem, NH) played 21 minutes off the bench. He had 14 points, shot 5 for 8 from the field, and 4 for 6 from behind the arc. Sophomore forward Rufus Rusholme-Cobb (Wellington, New Zealand) played 21 minutes off the bench. He had 14 points, shot 5 for 6 from the field, and grabbed seven rebounds.

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS:
• Franklin Pierce shot 44% from the field (30 for 68). Assumption shot 38% from the field (24 for 64)
• Franklin Pierce shot 37% from behind the arc (7 for 19). Assumption shot 30% from behind the arc (10 for 33).
• Franklin Pierce shot 61% from the free throw line (11 for 18). Assumption shot 81% from the free-throw line (21 for 26).
• Franklin Pierce had 34 points in the paint and 30 bench points.
• The Ravens only had six turnovers.

NEXT UP FOR THE RAVENS:
• The Franklin Pierce Ravens return to The Fieldhouse in Rindge, New Hampshire, on Wednesday, February 21, to take on the Bentley Falcons for the final time this season, with tip-off at 7:30 p.m.