Mike Baldarelli leads Greyhound men's basketball past Pace, 83-71, in Northeast-10 Conference playoff opener

February 28, 2009

Assumption 83, Pace 71

WORCESTER, Mass. --- Sophomore forward MIKE BALDARELLI (Sutton, MA/Holy Name) scored a team-high 20 points to lead four double-figure scorers as fifth-seeded Assumption College defeated 12th-seeded Pace University, 83-71, in the first-round of the Northeast-10 Conference playoffs SATURDAY at the Laska Gym.

The Greyhounds, now 19-9 overall, advance to the quarterfinal round playing at fourth-seeded Merrimack College MONDAY at 7 p.m. Pace concluded its season at 9-19 overall.

The Greyhounds got solid performances from junior center SAVOY FRAINE (Grenada Hills, CA/Grenada Hills) (15 points, six rebounds, five blocked shots), postgraduate forward GREG TWOMEY (Groton, MA/Groton-Dunstable) (12 points, six rebounds) and junior guard COURTLAND BLUFORD (Fort Washington, MD/Saint Vincent Pallotti) (10 points, three assists). Senior guard/captain MITCH BAJEMA (Whitinsville, MA/Whitinsville Christian) was the game-high rebounder with 10.

Freshman guard RYAN WOODS (Staten Island, NY/Saint Peter's) scored a game-high 24 points, including four three-pointers, to lead the Setters, while junior guard CARLOS HOWARD (Fort Washington, MD/Gonzaga) (19 points) with three three-pointers and senior forward RANDY WILSON (Peekskill, NY/Peekskill) (15 points, eight rebounds) played well in support roles.

The Greyhounds sped to a 39-27 halftime advantage as Fraine led the way with 12 points and four blocks. Defense was also a major factor as the Greyhounds limited the Setters to 10-for-30 accuracy from the floor (.333). Assumption outscored the Setters 26-12 in-the-paint.

The Hounds came out of-the-gate quickly moving to a 15-4 advantage with 13:32 left in the period. Baldarelli started the run with a wing jumper on a feed from Twomey and then created points off two straight turnovers as Bajema and senior guard/captain PATRICK SHEA (Salem, MA/Salem) converted layins for a 6-0 lead. Fraine made a move inside for an 8-0 lead before layins by Wilson and freshman guard ADRIAN MILLS (Woodbridge, VA/Paul VI) made it 8-4. Fraine made two free throws, a layin and then Twomey cashed a wing three-pointer to give the Hounds an 11-point advantage.

In the second half, Pace went on a 14-6 run to cut the gap to 48-46 after a three-pointer by Howard with 10:58 remaining. But, in this game of runs, the Greyhounds then ran off an 11-2 mini-spurt to again lead by 11, 59-48, with 8:38 left.

After Bluford (lane jumper) and Woods (pair of free throws) exchanged points the Hounds 9-0 run included a layin by Bluford, a three-pointer by freshman guard KEVIN DONAHUE (Pawcatuck, CT/Stonington), two free throws by Bluford and an inside move by sophomore guard DOMINIQUE PRICE (Worcester, MA/Holy Name).

Click here for ASSUMPTION-PACE box score