NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Southern Connecticut men’s basketball defeated Saint Michael’s, 83-71 in an NE10 matchup on Senior Day in the James Moore Field House on Saturday afternoon. The Purple Knights dropped to an overall record of 16-11 and an NE10 record of 10-7. The Owls improved to an overall record of 11-14 and an NE10 record of 7-10.
 
Justice Ellison recorded a team-best of 19 points, with a team-best of seven boards and three assists. Kazell Stewart and Randy Crosby both had 13 points, with Stewart hitting 5-for-7 from the floor, as he grabbed seven boards while Crosby was 4-for-8 from the floor, with three assists. Cherif Diarra had 12 points, as he was 3-for-3 from the floor and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line, with six boards, five assists and two blocks.


 

Malik Banks added eight points, with a team-best of seven assists and four boards. Christian McClease and Makai Coleman had seven points each against the Purple Knights.

 

In the first half, both teams went back-and-forth, trading points until Justice Ellison made a layup and Makai Coleman hit a three-pointer, to put the Owls up 13-7. The Purple Knights stayed within reach of the Owls, but Southern continued to get key points from Banks, Crosby and Ellison. With time winding down in the half, defense played a big role for both teams. Simon Percy scored before the half, to put the Owls in control with a 41-33 lead, going into halftime.

 

In the second half, Justice Ellison and Kazell Stewart got the scoring going for the Owls, to extend the lead to nine points. Saint Michael’s inched closer to Southern, midway through the half. However, the Owls went on a 5-0 run and grew their lead, to the largest of the day of 14 points, with less than 10 minutes to play. McClease, Coleman, Ellison and Stewart hit shots down the stretch, to continue the Owls’ double-digit lead. Southern Connecticut pulled away in the final two minutes, with made free-throws from Diarra and Banks, as the Owls got the 83-71 victory over Saint Michael’s.

 

The Owls will close out the regular season on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 pm in Rindge, N.H. in an NE10 matchup against Franklin Pierce.

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