Men's Basketball

February 9, 2008

Men's Basketball Ends Losing Skid In Win Over Southern Connecticut


COLCHESTER, Vt.-- Senior co-captain Brian Monahan (Kinderhook, N.Y./Christian Brothers Acad.) recorded his 10th double-double on the year to help the Saint Michael's men's basketball team (7-14, 5-12 NE-10) snap a 13-game losing streak that started on December 8, 2007, knocking off Southern Connecticut (6-16, 2-15 NE-10) 58-54 at the Ross Sports Center on Saturday evening. The Purple Knights completed a season-sweep of the Owls having won on the road 85-79 on December 1, 2007.


Ending the game on a 12-2 run, the Purple Knights won their first game in two months with Monahan leading the way with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Classmate and co-captain James Sorrentine (Pawtucket, R.I./Saint Raphael's Acad.) poured in 13 points while freshman point guard Nate Birr (Burnsville, Minn./Saint Thomas Acad.) dropped 14 points to go along with six boards in a night Saint Michael's was out-rebounded 45-24.

Although the Owls registered more offensive rebounds (19) than the Purple Knights had defensive rebounds (18), they could not snap their losing streak, dropping their seventh straight. Senior forward Devon Sullivan (Jamaica, N.Y./Orange County CC) led the Owls charge with 11 points and 11 boards while junior forward Preston Bell (Brooklyn, N.Y./Long Island City) also added 11 points with eight boards in the loss.

Winning the second-chance points battle 18-4, the Owls lost the turnover battle as the Purple Knights committed a season-low three turnovers. Saint Michael's subsequently scored 15 points to Southern Connecticut's four off turnovers.

The Purple Knights begin a two-game road trip at Bryant University on Wednesday, February 13 at 7:30 p.m. in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

###PURPLE KNIGHTS###