Tigers Stun #13 Assumption, 76-74, in Overtime

BOX SCORE


Easton, Mass. - The Holy Family University men's basketball team defeated nationally ranked Assumption College by the score of 76-74 in overtime in a non-conference contest at the East Coast Classic hosted by Stonehill College at the Merkert Gymnasium Saturday afternoon.
 
Holy Family improves to 6-6 overall, while Assumption, ranked 13th in the recent NCAA Division II NABC National Top-25 Coaches' Poll, is now 8-2 overall.
 
Junior Ervin Ezell (Deptford, N.J./Deptford High) stole a midcourt inbounds pass with six seconds left in the first overtime period and coasted in for the game-winning layup to give the Tigers the 76-74 victory.  Ezell earlier tied the game at 72-72 with a layup basket with six seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime.   He finished the game 18 points to go along with six rebounds, two assists and five steals.
 
Assumption had an opportunity to win the game after Ezell tied the game in regulation, however a three-point attempt by senior Ryan Rozsnaki came up short. 
 
Ezell was one of four Holy Family players to score in double-figures, including junior Alberto Munoz (Morrisville, N.C./Cardinal Gibbons) who led all scorers with a career-high 27 points.  Munoz shot 8-of-14 from the field and also grabbed seven boards.  He also dished out three assists and recorded three steals on the defensive end. 
 
Senior Angel Ayala (Allentown, Pa./William Allen) contributed 15 points off the bench for the Tigers after knocking down six shots (6-13).  Ayala also added eight rebounds and three assists.  Sophomore Eric Fleming (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) contributed ten points after draining a pair of three-pointers.
 
For Assumption, sophomore Terrance Bobb-Jones led the Greyhounds with 22 points and 11 rebounds to record a double-double.  Bobb-Jones also filled the stat sheet with four assists and four steals.  Graduate student Kevin Donahue finished with 14 points, while senior Tim Beinert added 12 points and seven rebounds.  Senior Ronson Quick also scored in double-figures as he chipped in ten points and seven rebounds.
 
Holy Family trailed a majority of the first half, including a 10-0 deficit to start the game.  The Tigers didn't take their first lead until the 6:12 mark of the half after Ayala converted a pair of free throws to give the Tigers a 24-22 advantage.  Assumption would regain the lead and took a slight 38-34 edge into halftime.
 
In the second half, Assumption would lead by as many as 11 points after starting the half on a 16-9 run.  A Bobb-Jones layup basket made the score 54-43 at the 14:31 mark.
 
As the half progressed, Holy Family used a 15-6 surge to come within two points of the Greyhounds lead.  Munoz scored a layup and then converted a free throw to make the score 60-58 with 6:44 to play in regulation.
 
Assumption would go on to increase its lead to eight points (66-58) at the 4:37 mark to pull ahead.  However, Holy Family would go on to outscore the Greyhounds, 14-6 down the stretch, including Ezell's game-tying basket to force overtime. 
 
The Holy Family defense held Assumption without a field goal the entire overtime period (0-5) after the Greyhounds shot 52.0-percent from the field in the second half.  Assumption finished the game shooting 39.1-percent from the field and 21-of-23 from the free throw line, while Holy Family finished with similar numbers.  The Tigers shot 36.5-percent from the field for the game and were nearly perfect at the charity stripe, converting 16-of-17 attempts.
 
Holy Family is back in action on Sunday, Dec. 30 as the Tigers face Stonehill College on the final day of the East Coast Classic.  Game time is slated for 3 p.m. Stonehill defeated Philadelphia University, 57-52, in its non-conference contest. 

 
 

- HFU -