Courtland Bluford leads Greyhounds' men's basketball past Southern New Hampshire, 76-70

February 2, 2008

ASSUMPTION 76, SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE 70

MANCHESTER, NH --- Sophomore point guard COURTLAND BLUFORD (Ft. Washington, MD/St. Vincent Pallotti) scored a career-best 19 points and added a career-high nine rebounds leading Assumption College men's basketball past Southern New Hampshire University, 76-70, in Northeast-10 Conference action here SATURDAY at the SNHU Fieldhouse.

The Greyhounds ranked No. 2 in the N.C.A.A. Division II Northeast poll behind only undefeated Bentley College improved their record to 17-6 overall and 11-5 in the conference in sole possession of third-place (the top four teams will draw first-round byes and host second-round games in the upcoming conference postseason tournament). Southern New Hampshire is now 11-10 overall and 8-8 in conference play.

The Assumption College basketball teams are the winningiest combo in the Northeast-10 Conference to date. The Hounds' teams sport a 35-11 (men 17-6, women 18-5) combined record. Bentley College is next at 34-6 (men 20-0, women 14-6). And, they are now 1,007-822 since the program's inception as the winningest New England Division II program of all time. Saint Michael's College, which won its 1,000th game earlier in the season is now 1,004-936.

The Greyhounds are also three wins away from their 13th 20-win season and first since 2002-03 (20-11).

Bluford led three double-figure scorers for the Greyhounds as senior forward COREY DIETHORN (Pittsburgh, PA/Sewickley Academy) (14 points) and freshman forward MIKE BALDARELLI (Sutton, MA/Holy Name) (11 points) played well in support roles. Sophomore forward RENAN MALAFAIA (Wellesley, MA/Newton North/Taft School) was a defensive force off-the-bench with a career-best four blocked shots in an 11-minute stint.

The Greyhounds bolted to 38-32 halftime lead as Bluford paved the way with nine points on three-for-four accuracy from the floor.

With the scored tied following a Malafaia inside move off a feed from freshman forward DOMINIQUE PRICE (Worcester, MA/Holy Name) the Greyhounds outscored the Penmen 13-7 over the final 4:10 of the half.

SNHU junior guard GERALD CARTER (Harlem, NY/Marist) converted two free throws to put the Penman back in front however Bluford countered a with a top-of-the-circle three-pointer to make it 28-27 Greyhounds.

The Penmen took their final lead of the half, 29-28, as junior guard TROY BOWEN (Nashua, NH/High Point) scored inside on a feed from freshman forward CORY VEJRASKA (Alachua, FL/Bridgton, ME).

Malafaia converted an offensive rebound and senior forward MIKE FOTI (Franklin, MA/Franklin) hit back-to-back three-pointers from the left wing as the Greyhounds led by seven, 36-29. The Penmen stopped the run as freshman guard CHASE MILLER (Fairfax, VA/Massanutten Military) hit a three-pointer and Foti finished the scoring in the half with a layin with 37 seconds left.

Southern New Hampshire would tie the game (48-48, 53-53, 55-55 and 58-58) four times in the second half however never forged ahead. The Greyhounds responded each time: Bluford hit a long three-pointer to make it 51-48, Baldarelli scored inside to make 55-53 and hit a three-pointer to make it 58-55. Junior guard MITCH BAJEMA (Whitinsville, MA/Whitinsville Christian) hit a corner three-pointer to make it 61-58.

The Greyhounds are off until SATURDAY (February 9) when they travel to the College of Saint Rose (13-3 conference) in a battle for second-place in the conference.

GREYHOUNDS NOTES: the 17-6 start is the best for the Hounds since they were 16-6 to open the 2003-04 season . . . Coach SERGE DEBARI, who won his 300th game as a collegiate coach (at both Babson and Assumption) last year, is now nearing another milestone, his 100th win as Greyhound mentor . . . he has 95 wins on the AC bench . . . senior forward COREY DIETHORN (Pittsburgh, PA/Sewickley Academy) now has 993 points passing Greyhound legend JOE O'BRIEN '57 (969) on the scoring list, while senior forward GREG TWOMEY (Groton, MA/Groton-Dunstable) now has 920 points.

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