Emmitsburg, Md. (December 7, 2006)--Junior
guard Chris Vann (Woodbridge,
Va./Gar-Field) poured in a career high 28 points to lead Mount St.
Mary's past Quinnipiac, 78-73, in Northeast Conference action on
Thursday night at Knott Arena. Vann hit 9-of-15 from the field as
the Mount snapped a five-game losing streak.
Mount St. Mary's (2-6, 1-0 NEC) used a 23-6 run that spanned the
final seven minutes of the first half and the opening five mintues
of the second half to grab a 44-36 advantage. Mount St. Mary's
held Quinnipiac to one field goal during that stretch. The Mount
did not trail the rest of the way, but Quinnipiac (2-5, 0-1 NEC)
was able to cut the margin to 67-65 with 2:26 remaining after a
pair of Adam Gonzalez free throws.
Senior guard Mychal Kearse (Charlotte,
N.C./Providence Day) hit a pair of free throws on the Mount's next
possession to give the Mount a 69-65 advantage. Gonzalez missed a
three-pointer for the Bobcats and Victor Akinyanju missed a pair of
foul shots for Quinnipiac to give the Mount hte ball with just
over a minute to play. On that possession, sophomore Sam Atupem
(Newport News, Va./Woodside) tipped in a Kirk Bunn miss with the
shot clock expiring to give the Mount a 71-65 lead with 47 seconds
left. The Mount hit 7-of-10 at the foul line the rest of the way
to seal the win.
Vann hit 9-of-15 from the field and made four three-pointers
while tying a career high with six rebounds in addition to his 28
points. Kearse chipped in a season-high 18 points and seven
rebounds while hitting 10-of-14 at the charity stripe. Jeremy
Goode added nine points, four rebounds and four assists in the
victory. Van Crafton scored 23 points to pace the Bobcats, hitting
7-of-13 from beyond the arc. Gonzalez finished with 17 points and
six assists.
The Mount shot 52.4 percent from the field in the second half
and 46.4 percent for the game while Quinnipiac shot 47.8 percent
from the field and 9-of-20 (.450) from beyond the arc.
Mount St. Mary's now embarks on a six-game road trip starting at
North Carolina State at 3:30 p.m. on December 16.
Game Notes...Vann becomes the only player on
the Mount roster to score 20 or more points in a game with his
28-point performance...There were 52 fouls called in the
game...Quinnipiac was 20-of-33 (.606) at the foul line while the
Mount hit 21-of-28 (.750)...The Mount now leads the all-time
series, 8-7...Mount St. Mary's improved to 6-1 in NEC openers at
Knott Arena...Vann's 28 points are the most by a Mount player since
Landy Thompson scored 26 in an 82-78 win over Quinnipiac on Feb.
20, 2006.
