NEW LONDON, Conn., December 12, 2006 - Junior forward Charles Stone notched a double-double with a game-high 20 points and 10 rebounds, leading Connecticut College (7-3) to a 69-56 victory against Springfield College (3-6) in men’s basketball action played at Luce Fieldhouse this evening.

Stone followed up his 37-point outburst Saturday with a 9-for-17 shooting performance, adding five assists as head coach Tom Satran’s Camels posted their fastest start since the 1999-2000 season. Shavar Bernier chipped in with 15 points and three assists on 5-for-8 shooting from the field. Will Lyons added nine points for the winning side.

SC freshman forward Pat Crean (Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.) paced the visiting Pride with 15 points, six rebounds and three assists. Freshman guard Ryan Blackmon (Stamford, Conn.) chipped in with 14 points for SC, shooting 6-for-10 from the field. Junior guard Jamaal Gibbs (Norwalk, Conn.) added 10 points and five boards for the visitors.

Both teams got off to a slow start on the offensive side of the ball in the first half, but with 1:40 to go, the Camels opened up a 26-21 lead with a three-pointer from Christian Mosley. Pride freshman guard Matt Petrides (Amherst, Mass.) put in a field goal with 57 second remaining, cutting the lead to three. On the final possession of the half, Charles Stone was able to split a double team, beating the buzzer with a lay-in and the Camels carried a 28-23 lead into the intermission.

The Camels put this game away midway through the second stanza with a devastating 22-8 run. Stone was scoring and drawing double teams in the post, opening up the perimeter game. Steve Weingarten capped the run with back-to-back jumpers, first a two followed by a three, and the hosts opened up a 50-31 lead.

Later on in the half with 4:06 to go, Stone tipped in a missed three to give the Camels a 64-46 lead. The Camels were able to hold on for the comfortable 69-56 victory. Stone is averaging 24 points and 7.7 rebounds over the past three games. Ulises Veras dished out a game-high six assists for the hosts.

SC will next play at Rhode Island College on Friday evening, December 15th, in a 7:00 p.m. start before the Pride begins its winter break. After the New Year, SC will host the 2007 Holiday Inn-Naismith Classic in Blake Arena on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 2nd and 3rd. The Pride will host Kean, Plattsburgh State, and Colby in the classic.

published: 12/13/2006