Manchester, N.H. (February 13) -- Sophomore forward Branimir Zeko (Mississauga, Ontario) exploded for a career-high 27 points in an 85-74 win over Saint Rose on Wednesday night in Northeast-10 men's basketball action.

In the first half, the Hawks quickly built the lead to 19-12 with 10:03 remaining following a three-pointer from Junior Mitchell (Brooklyn, N.Y.). With the score 21-14 in favor of the Hawks with 7:57 on the clock, Saint Anselm went on a 10-2 scoring run and took the lead at 24-23 on a layup from Malcolm Williams (Schenectady, N.Y.). The Hawks quickly regained the lead though and pushed the edge all the way back to six on a fastbreak layup by Chris Vetrano (Andover, Mass.). Saint Rose closed back to within two before the Hawks took a 36-32 lead into the break. Zeko led all scorers with 11 first-half points for the Hawks, while Shanty Robinson (Mount Vernon, N.Y.) had eight points in the period for Saint Rose.

In the second half, the Hawks pushed the lead into double digits and to as many as 15 points at 57-42 with 11:52 left. Saint Rose managed to get back to within nine points twice in the final minute before the Hawks put the Golden Knights away for the 11-point win.

Zeko led all scorers with his 27 points on 11-of-12 shooting from the field, along with nine rebounds and two blocks. Thomas Baudinet (Watertown, Conn.) and Chris Vetrano also finished in double figures with 17 and 11 points each, respectively. Robinson led four Golden Knights in double figures with 15 points. Steve Dagostino (Schenectady, N.Y.) also finished with 14 points, but on just 4-for-14 shooting from the field.

With the win, the Hawks improve to 11-12 overall and to 9-10 in the Northeast-10, while Saint Rose falls to 18-6 overall and 15-4 in the Northeast-10. Saint Anselm is back in action on Saturday, February 16th as the Hawks travel to Syracuse for a 3 p.m. meeting with Le Moyne.