MANCHESTER, N.H. – Veteran Southern New Hampshire University men's basketball coach Stan Spirou won his 500th career game Saturday as his Penmen defeated Thomas College 76-65 at the SNHU Fieldhouse. The game marked the season opener for the Penmen, while the contest goes into the books as an exhibition game for the Terriers.
Spirou, who is starting his 26th season at SNHU, owns a career record of 500-249. He becomes just the sixth coach in New England men's college basketball history and the 11th active NCAA Division II coach to reach the 500-win milestone.
Tory Stapleton (Rahway, N.J.) led Southern New Hampshire with 19 points and eight boards, while Greg DeSantis (Trumbull, Conn.) had a career-best 18 points to go along with four assists. Cory Vejraska (Alachua, Fla.) totaled 14 points and eight rebounds, while Marcus Matthews (Valley Stream, N.Y.) added 13 points.
Jarrad DeVaughn led all scorers with 27 points on 10-14 shooting for Thomas, while Andrew Duncanson had 13 points and Franklin Salvador nine.
The Penmen, who trailed 39-37 at halftime, opened the second half on a 14-4 run and a three by Matthews with just under 14 minutes to play gave the Penmen a 51-43 lead. Thomas would cut the lead to five twice but would get no closer.
Thomas led most of the first half as it connected on seven of its first 11 three-point attempts. The Terriers took their largest lead, 32-22, with 7:27 left in the half after Salvador connected on back-to-back three-pointers. Southern New Hampshire closed the half on a 6-1 run and a Stapleton layup with 35 seconds to go made it 39-37 in favor of Thomas at the break.
Southern New Hampshire opens Northeast-10 play Wednesday night when it travels to Saint Anselm College for a 7:30 contest at Stoutenburgh Gymnasium.
