Men's Basketball

January 12, 2010

Men's Basketball Pulls Out 78-76 Win At Southern Connecticut


WEST HAVEN, Conn. - The Saint Michael's College men's basketball team (6-8, 2-8 Northeast-10 Conference) snapped a three-game losing skid - and earned its first away win of the season - on Tuesday evening, edging Southern Connecticut State University, 78-76.

Sophomore Tyler Schilling (Excelsior, Minn./Minnetonka) earned his fifth double-double of the season with 15 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Purple Knights. Classmate Sam Cieplicki (South Burlington, Vt./New Hampton (N.H.) School) added a team-best 16 points, draining four 3-pointers. Sophomore Qua'ron Pinckney (Bronx, N.Y./Saint Benedict's Prep (N.J.)) and freshman Travis Warech (Pine Brook, N.J./Montville) netted 12 points apiece as the Purple Knights shot 49 percent from the field in the contest (30-of-61), and made 10-of-23 3-pointers.

Four players also scored in double figures for SCSU (2-13, 1-9 NE-10), led by Clyde Chapman's 22 points on 10-of-13 shooting. Dexton Williamson added 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Owls.

Saint Michael's held a 43-40 halftime following a 3-pointer at the buzzer from sophomore Tom Ward (Brighton, East Sussex, England/Saint Francis (N.Y.)).

The Purple Knights led for nearly the entire second half, stretching their lead to six on multiple occasions, but couldn't shake the Owls, who pulled to within 77-76 on a lay-up from Chris Harris with four seconds left in regulation. A Cieplicki free throw a second later gave Saint Michael's a two-point cushion, and Harris missed a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer as Saint Michael's improved to 1-4 in away games this season.

Saint Michael's plays its next two games at home, beginning with Saturday's 3:30 p.m. contest versus Pace University at the Ross Sports Center.

##PURPLEKNIGHTS###