Box Score
MANCHESTER, N.H. – The #15-ranked Saint Anselm College men's basketball team improved to 9-1 overall and 6-1 in the Northeast-10 Conference with an 87-74 victory over Franklin Pierce University on Sunday afternoon at the Stoutenburgh Gymnasium in Manchester, N.H.
Five players scored in double-figures for the Hawks led by 22 points from Mike McCahey (Clarkstown, N.Y.). Chris Braley (Newport, Maine) scored 20 points – including 18 in the second half – while Victor Joshua (New Haven, Conn.) added 18 points and three steals. Harrison Taggart (Wallingford, Vt.) had an all-around game with 13 points, eight rebounds, and six assists in 39 minutes of action, with Cody Ball (Londonderry, N.H.) chipping in 11 points, six rebounds, and a pair of blocks off the bench.
Franklin Pierce (5-5, 4-3 NE-10) was led by 22 points, five rebounds, and seven blocks from Donte Gittens, while Mike McDevitt just missed a double-double with 17 points and nine rebounds. Asante Sandiford also added 15 points, six rebounds, and four steals.
A free throw from Taggart staked the Hawks to an early 15-9 lead before a 9-2 run by the Ravens gave the visitors an 18-17 lead with 9:42 to play in the first half. Sandiford put Franklin Pierce on top 23-18 with a triple and Gittens connected on a layup to keep it a 25-20 advantage a few minutes later. The Hawks slowly chipped away as layups from Ball and Joshua sandwiched around a pair of Taylor Fortin (Tolland, Conn.) free throws put the Hawks back in front 26-25.
After Gittens knocked down a free throw to tie the game, Saint Anselm continued their run, scoring 10-straight points capped off by a Cody Ball steal and layup to go up 36-26 with 3:26 remaining in the period. Franklin Pierce answered with a run of its own, scoring nine of the final 11 points in the frame to make it a 38-35 game headed into the break.
The Ravens carried their momentum into the start of the second half as a McDevitt layup at the 15:32 mark of the period gave Franklin Pierce a 48-43 advantage. Chris Braley scored back-to-back layups to get within one point before a Joshua layup put Saint Anselm in the lead at 49-48. The two teams traded baskets until a 12-2 run by Saint Anselm capped off by Braley's only three of the game gave the Hawks a 66-55 advantage with 10:27 remaining.
Franklin Pierce would get as close as six following a free throw from Donte Gittens, but the Hawks extended their lead back to as many as 13 over the final seven minutes of play to hang on for the 87-74 victory.
Saint Anselm won the rebounding battle 41-36, but committed 13 turnovers to just 10 for Franklin Pierce. The Hawks shot 49.2% (30-61) from the field and connected on 21-of-27 free throws in the game.
Stay up-to-date with the latest news, including game previews and recaps, directly from the Saint Anselm College athletic department by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter @STAHawks.
