Boxscore

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Despite 20 points from junior Justin Gardenhire (Rosedale, N.Y.) and 18 from senior Devon Sullivan (Jamaica, N.Y.), the Southern Connecticut State University men's basketball dropped its season opener to Saint Anselm on Saturday night at Moore Fieldhouse by a score of 88-80.

The Owls fell to 0-1 overall and in the Northeast-10 Conference, while the Hawks from Saint Anselm posted a 1-0 mark both overall and in the Northeast-10.

The score remained close throughout the first half, with neither team building a lead larger than six points. Led by eight points apiece from Gardenhire, Sullivan, and freshman center Peter Simek (Bratislava, Slovakia), the Owls entered the intermission trailing 39-36.

Saint Anselm never trailed in the second half, as a 15-4 run early in the second half solidified the lead for the Hawks. The Owls whittled the lead down to four points on a Sullivan three-pointer with 1:41 remaining, but Hawks freshman Thomas Baudinet answered with a three-pointer of his own on the ensuing position to place the game firmly out of the Owls' grasp.

Baudinet led a balanced scoring attack with 19 points in his first collegiate game. Three other Hawks players also posted double figures in the victory.

Sullivan also hauled in seven rebounds to compliment his 18 points. Simek and sophomore guard Trevor Harris (Nanuet, N.Y.) matched Sullivan's seven boards to share the team high. Junior guard Derrick Corbett also posted double figures in points with 10.

The Owls are back in action on Tuesday, November 20, as the No. 2 Bentley College Falcons come to New Haven for a Northeast-10 Conference match up. The action tips off from Moore Fieldhouse at 7:30 p.m.