Box Score

COLCHESTER, Vt. - The Southern Connecticut State men's basketball team had its five game winning streak snapped on Saturday afternoon, falling to Saint Michael's for the second time this season by a score of 96-87. The loss was also the first road defeat for the team this season. The Owls drop to 13-4 (8-2 NE-10), while the Purple Knights improve to 10-5 (6-4 NE-10). Junior Deshawn Murphy (Hamden, Conn.) led the way for Southern with a season-high 27 points and five rebounds. Senior Tylon Smith (Manchester, Conn.) tallied 24 points and a team-high nine rebounds, while junior Desmond Williams (Torrington, Conn.) added 20 points off the bench for Southern. Smith and Williams also added three steals apiece.

After falling behind 5-0, then 10-2, the Owls came back with a 10-0 run, taking a two point lead at the 15:18 mark on a layup by Smith. Just under two minutes later, a Williams three-pointer gave the Owls a 16-15 advantage, a lead which they would keep for the remainder of the opening half. Southern's largest lead of the game came midway through the first half after Williams sank home a three to give the team a 30-20 lead.

Southern held a 52-46 advantage going into the half.

Saint Michael's stormed out of the  break, scoring 14 of the second half's first 17 points, as part of a 19-5 run overall, jumping out to a 60-55 advantage. The Purple Knights grabbed the lead just over three minutes into the second half with a layup by Corey Crawford II, making it 57-55.

The game would then go back and forth over the next several minutes as Smith gave the Owls the lead back at 61-60 with a layup and ensuing free throw to complete a three-point play. After a SMC basket, sophomore Austin Carter (Bloomfield, Conn.) made it 63-62 Owls with a layup. Back to back layups from Smith gave Southern a three point lead at 67-64 with 10:32 remaining, but an ensuing 10-0 Purple Knights' run gave them a seven point cushion.

But once again, the Owls were able to regain the lead following a 11-2 outburst in the latter stages of the second half. A Mallory free-throw, layups by Williams and Smith, and back-to-back threes by Murphy and Mallory gave Southern a 78-76 lead with 5:20 remaining.

Saint Michael's regained the lead for good just under a minute later, following a 9-0 run. The Purple Knights were able to hit their free throws down the stretch, getting their lead to double digits for the only time all day at 92-82 in the final minute, holding off the Owls for a 96-87 final.

The Owls wrap up their two game road trip on Wednesday with a visit to NE-10 opponent Stonehill. Tip off from North Easton, Mass. is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Check back to www.soouthernctowls.com over the next few days for pre-game coverage.