BOX SCORE

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - Led by 14 points from Marcus Matthews (Valley Stream, NY), all five Southern New Hampshire University starters reached double figures as it posted a 70-62 win over Post University in men's basketball at the Bridgeport Holiday Classic Monday night.  The Penmen won their fifth in a row to improve to 7-3 overall, while the Eagles are 4-3 on the season.

Matthews, a freshman, also handed out three assists.  Troy Bowen (Nashua, NH) drained three three-pointers and finished with 13 points, while Gerald Carter (Harlem, NY) and Stephen Wood (South Jamaica Queens, NY) each finished with double-doubles.  Carter had 11 points and 12 rebounds, while Wood, recording his fourth consecutive double-double, had 11 points and 10 boards.  Tory Stapleton (Rahway, NJ) had 10 points as the fifth Penmen starter in double figures.

Cecil Stinson led Post with a game-high 18 points.

The game was tied 56-56 with just under three minutes to go.  SNHU took the lead for good on its next possession with Bowen draining a three at the 2:51 mark to make it 59-56.  Post would respond with an AJ Reitter basket, but Bowen drained another three with 2:12 to go to make it a 62-58 game.  Southern New Hampshire would seal the win by going 5-6 at the free throw line in the final minute.

Post led much of the first half and led by as many as five points, including a 32-27 lead with 3:27 to go in the half on a three by Stinson.  The Penmen would tie the game twice in the final minute, including a basket by Stapleton with 29 seconds before intermission that knotted the game at 34.  The game would be 34-34 at the break.

Southern New Hampshire held a 42-34 rebounding advantage, including an 11-9 edge on the offensive glass.

SNHU returns to action Tuesday in the tourney's second round when it faces host Bridgeport at 6:00 pm.