Men's Basketball

Manchester, N.H. (February 21) -- The lead changed hands 11 times, including six times in the second half alone, as Saint Anselm dropped a back-and-forth 75-71 final to visiting Saint Michael's on Saturday afternoon at Al Grenert Court. The win gives the Purple Knights a sweep of the season series.

Neither team led by more than three points in the opening half of the first period until the Hawks opened up to a 19-15 advantage with 7:38 left after a layup from John Mariano (Naugatuck, Conn.). The lead grew to eight points at 32-24 after a basket from Branimir Zeko (Mississauga, Ontario) before a 7-2 Purple Knight run closed the margin to 34-31 at the break. John Tello (Ridgefield Park, N.J.) got the Hawks off to a quick start and finished the opening period with 11 points. For Saint Michael's, Alex Berthiaume (Springfield, Mass.) had 11 points of his own in the half.

The two teams went back and forth throughout most of the second half and with 6:29 left in the period, it was tied for the 10th time at 57-57. Saint Michael's pushed the lead back to five points at 65-60 with 3:51 left, but the Hawks came roaring back and closed to within one at 70-69. That run was capped by a three-point play by Thomas Baudinet (Watertown, Conn.) as he was fouled and his off-balance shot rolled in. That was as close as the Hawks would get though as the Purple Knights sealed the game at the free throw line.

Tello led four Hawks in double figures with 20 points on 8-for-12 shooting from the field. Berthiaume was the leading scorer for the Purple Knights with a game-high 25 points in 36 minutes.

With the loss, the Hawks fall to 14-12 overall and 9-12 in the Northeast-10, while Saint Michael's improves to 9-15 overall and 6-15 in the league. The Hawks wrap up the regular season on Tuesday night as the team hosts Saint Rose for a 7:30 p.m. start. Prior to the game, senior guard Sam Lamptey (Worcester, Mass.) will be recognized for his contribution to the Saint Anselm men's basketball program.