Box Score

RIVERDALE, N.Y. – The Mount Saint Mary College men's basketball team (7-3, 3-0 Skyline) opened the 2014 calendar year on the right foot, grabbing a 65-58 Skyline Conference victory at the College of Mount Saint Vincent (1-9, 0-4 Skyline) Saturday afternoon at the Peter Jay Sharp Center. The win marks the Knights' fourth in a row after a perfect 3-0 December.

The game went back and forth early in the first half, as the Knights trailed, 11-8, at the 12:09 mark. The Knights then stole the momentum from the home team with an 11-2 run to grab a 19-13 lead with 8:25 to play until the break. The Dolphins rallied to tie the game at 28-28 with 11 seconds to go, but senior guard Anthony Cipriano (Staten Island, N.Y.) drained a three to beat the buzzer and send the Knights into the locker room with a 31-28 edge.

The Mount opened the second half on a 9-2 run to jump out to a 10-point lead. The Dolphins managed to chip away at the deficit and trailed by just a point at 42-41 with 11:45 left in regulation. The Skyline rivals traded baskets for much of the remainder of the half, with the Knights being unable to completely pull away and the Dolphins unable to tie the score. A solid defensive effort from the Knights allowed them to hold on in the final minutes for a 7-point conquest.

Senior forward Joe Henain (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) led the Knights with 13 points, nine rebounds and three blocks, most of which coming in the second frame. Senior guard Donte Howell (Baldwin, N.Y.) scored all of his 12 points in the first half, but dished out four second half assists for a game total of five. Senior guard Joe Stabach (Staten Island, N.Y.) banked eight of his 11 points after halftime to help the Knights hold their lead.

The host Dolphins were led by Brandon Serrano's 22 points and nine rebounds, while Gerard Fraser posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards before fouling out in the second half.

The Knights shot 34.6 percent from the field on Saturday, while their opponents made 40 percent of their field goals. They were also outrebounded by the Dolphins, 42-34. The Knights took advantage of 21 Dolphin giveaways, outscoring the home team, 21-8, in points off turnovers.

The Knights return to action on Monday, Jan. 6, when they travel to Patchogue, N.Y. for a Skyline matchup with St. Joseph's College (L.I.). Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Follow the Knights on Twitter at @MSMCKnights