EASTON, Mass. - The Southern Connecticut State University men's basketball team fell to Stonehill, 80-65, in a Northeast 10 Conference matchup at Merkert Gymnasium. With the loss, the Owls fall to 4-8 overall and 2-5 in the NE10, while the Skyhawks improve to 10-7 overall and 6-5 in the NE10.

Lyron Bennett (Boston, Mass.) led Southern with a career-high 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting. Jamaal Waters (Hartford, Conn.) came off the bench to score 10 points and grab eight rebounds, while Sean James (West Hartford, Conn.) recorded eight points.

How It Happened
First Half

• Southern came out of the gates on fire, as they went up 17-9 in the first six minutes of action. Bennett scored seven of Southern's first nine points before James and C.J. Seaforth (Hamden, Conn.) bookended Southern's run with back-to-back three-pointers. 
• Stonehill immediately went on a 10-0 run to take their first lead of the game with 10:03 remaining in the half. Bennett was able to grab the lead back for Southern, but Stonehill knocked down a three-pointer to give themselves the lead for the remainder of the half. 
• The Skyhawks were able to bring their lead up to four before James connected on a transition three-pointer, and Zack Penn (New Hartford, Conn.) made it a one-point game again on a layup with 4:18 remaining. Stonehill was able to create separation in the final minutes of the half, and took a 38-32 lead in the break.
• Bennett scored 15 of his points in the first half while going 6-of-8 from the field. 

Quick start for the Owls! Lyron Bennett has scored 7 of Southern's first 11 points as they lead 11-4! pic.twitter.com/X16r18mVuf

— SCSU Men's Basketball (@SCSU_MBB) January 22, 2022

Second Half

• Stonehill began the second half on a 12-2 run to take a 50-36 lead. Southern was able to cut the lead down to 51-43 with 13:27 remaining after a three-pointer by Seaforth, but Stonehill upped their lead back up to 14, 61-47, with just under 10 minutes left. 
• The Skyhawks continued to maintain a double-digit lead for the remainder of the game, and eventually took a 78-57 lead with 2:57 remaining. Southern ended the game strong but outscoring the Skyahwks 8-2, but Stonehill claimed a 15-point victory. 

Notes

• Bennett recorded a new career-high in points with 23, done four other times and last on Nov. 13, 2021 vs Post. He also tied his career-high with nine field goals made, previously done on Feb. 19, 2020 vs New Haven and Dec, 14, 2019 vs University of the Sciences. 
• Waters recorded his second career double-digit point game. He also reached double-digits when he scored 13 on Dec. 7, 2021 vs Saint Rose.
• In his second consecutive start and third career game, James knocked down two more three-pointers. He is 9-for-18 from beyond the arc to begin his collegiate career. 
• Southern went 10-for-11 from the free throw line and out-rebounded the Skyhawks, 37-32.

Up Next
Southern stays on the road for two games next week, starting on Jan. 22 against Assumption before concluding with a trip to Pace on Jan. 27.