LOWELL, MA (Nov. 20, 2007) – Senior G James Sorrentine (Pawtucket, RI) scored 25 points and dished out seven assists to lead Saint Michael’s College over UMass Lowell, 72-64, Tuesday night in a Northeast-10 Conference men’s basketball matchup at the Costello Athletic Center.

With the loss, UML slipped to 0-1 overall and 0-1 in the NE-10 while the Purple Knights improved to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the Conference.

UML visits Bentley Sunday at 3:30.

The loss spoiled a stellar night by senior G Dashon Harper (Columbus, OH) who scored 19 points, hitting 7 of 11 field goal attempts and 3 of 4 shots from 3-point range. Sophomore G Kevin Carr (Lancaster, OH) added 11 points (5 of 9 field goal shooting) and three assists while sophomore F Victor Colon (Chicago, IL) chipped in 10 points (4-8 FG shooting) and five rebounds.

Sorrentine connected on all 11 of his free throw attempts, including eight in the final two minutes. Senior F Brian Monahan (Kinderhook, NY) added 21 points and 10 rebounds while junior F Jon Zylstra (Uxbridge, MA) chipped in 11 points, eight rebounds and three assists.

The Purple Knights outscored UML 15-7 at the free throw line and also grabbed 15 offensive rebounds opposed to UML’s nine, enabling for an 18-11 advantage on second chance points.

UML overcame a handful of deficits in the second half, but could never pull ahead. Saint Michael’s led 45-35 with 11:18 left to play, but UML responded with a 16-7 run to pull within one, 52-51 with 5:55 remaining. Harper scored 10 points in the run.

However, the Purple Knights pulled ahead by eight, 62-54, behind a trey and a layup by Zylstra with 3:18 to go, but 3-point shots by Harper and Colon brought UML back to within three, 62-59 with 2:46 left.

The River Hawks could not get within five the rest of the way as Saint Michael’s maintained the lead behind Sorrentine’s marksmanship at the line.

The Purple Knights led at the break, 28-27.