New Hampshire escaped with a heart-stopping 59-58 victory over Stonehill in an America East conference matchup. This nail-biter featured 13 lead changes that kept both squads fighting until the final buzzer Wednesday evening.
🔥 Quick Facts
- New Hampshire rallied in the first half, leading 36-32 at intermission despite Stonehill’s early momentum
- Ridvan Tutic paced Stonehill with 21 points, shooting an efficient 10-for-13 from the field
- The score remained tied 9 times throughout the contest, with neither team pulling away
- New Hampshire (4-7, 0-0 America East) held on as Stonehill (3-9, 0-0 NEC) fell just short
Tight First Half Sets Up Thriller
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Both teams came out aggressive early, testing each other’s defenses from the opening tip. New Hampshire benefited from strong shooting in the opening half, particularly from beyond the arc where they connected on 7-of-14 three-pointers for a 50 percent clip. Despite this early accuracy, the Wildcats could only muster a four-point halftime advantage as Stonehill refused to fold.
Stonehill’s Tutic established himself as a scoring force early, getting touches in the paint and finishing at the rim with authority. Hermann Koffi provided secondary scoring by drilling a three-pointer that kept the Skyhawks within striking distance. The defensive intensity made for a tightly contested affair.
Second Half Collapse Almost Costs New Hampshire
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New Hampshire’s three-point shooting went ice cold in the second half, connecting on just 1-of-7 from beyond the arc. This defensive adjustment by Stonehill forced the Wildcats into difficult situations on offense. Comeh Emuobor stepped up for New Hampshire with 12 points and multiple baskets in the paint.
Stonehill surged late in the game with their offense clicking in transition. Rex Sunderland and Tutic combined for crucial baskets to pull the Skyhawks to within striking distance. The battle for possessions became intense as both teams crashed the offensive glass, with New Hampshire grabbing eight second-chance points to Stonehill’s six.
Game Statistics and Highlights
| Category | New Hampshire | Stonehill |
| Final Score | 59 | 58 |
| Field Goals | 20-59 (33.9%) | 20-50 (40%) |
| Three-Pointers | 8-21 (38.1%) | 3-15 (20%) |
| Rebounds | 32 total | 42 total |
| Bench Points | 31 points | 8 points |
Championship Mentality on Display
What separated New Hampshire down the stretch was their ability to avoid costly turnovers in crunch time. Despite committing nine total turnovers, the Wildcats limited their second-half miscues when it mattered most. KiJan Robinson hit crucial free throws in the final seconds to seal the victory, dribbling out the clock as Stonehill’s final desperation three-pointer came up short.
Jack Graham provided veteran leadership with 10 points as New Hampshire’s offense found answers through ball movement and drive-and-kick plays. The bench outscored Stonehill’s reserves 31-8, demonstrating depth that could prove critical in conference play. Stonehill’s Chas Stinson added eight points but lacked the offensive firepower to overcome the deficit.
What This Victory Means for Conference Play
This one-point triumph gives New Hampshire a signature America East win with their road back to respectability now underway. The Wildcats showed resilience against a physical Stonehill squad that refused to quit despite being outscored from deep. For Stonehill, the loss illustrates how a strong individual performance from Tutic sometimes isn’t enough without consistent contributions from the entire rotation.
“This team showed tremendous character coming back from a slow start and executing defensively when we needed stops the most,” coach confidence was clearly reflected in New Hampshire’s poise during the final moments.
Both squads will now turn their attention to upcoming conference matchups as they work to climb the America East standings. New Hampshire’s bench depth and second-half resilience offer encouraging signs, while Stonehill must find ways to generate more consistent scoring beyond their primary weapons going forward.
Sources
- Stonehill Athletics Official – Complete box score and play-by-play data
- America East Conference – Official standings and conference information
- ESPN – Game recap and final statistics
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