Dion Lifts Men’s Hoops over Binghamton, 56-51, Heads to Vermont for AE Semis

Wednesday, March 2

Durham, N.H.

7:30 PM

University of New Hampshire

19-11, 11-5AE

Binghamton University

8-22, 5-11AE

Binghamton

UNH

Photo by: Gil Talbot

Dion Lifts Men’s Hoops over Binghamton, 56-51, Heads to Vermont for AE Semis

3/2/2016 10:38:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

DURHAM, N.H. – Junior Daniel Dion (Cedar Park, Texas) matched his career-high in scoring with 23 points as No. 4 University of New Hampshire men's basketball toppled No. 5 Binghamton University, 56-51, in the America East Playoffs Quarterfinals Wednesday night at Lundholm Gym.

UNH improves to 19-11 overall to match the program's most wins in a single season. UNH will play in its second consecutive semifinals. Binghamton's season concludes with an 8-22 record overall.

NEXT UP
The Wildcats are set to play No. 3 University of Vermont at Patrick Gymnasium on Monday, March 7 (7:30 p.m.) in the America East semifinals. Vermont swept the Wildcats in the regular-season series.

HIGHLIGHTS

Dion matched his career-high with 6 of 14 shooting, four threes, and he hit all seven free-throw attempts to match a personal-best mark.
UNH shot 27.1 percent from the field and 17.9 percent from beyond the arc but led Binghamton to bench points 27-5.
Leissner recorded his fifth double-double of the season, third in five games, with 14 points and 11 rebounds, his ninth of his career.
The Wildcats limited turnovers to four while Binghamton tallied 11.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The first half was back-and-forth with no one leading by more than six points until 2:30 remaining when Dion drilled his second trey to take a 27-21 lead. Binghamton held the lead for the start of the contest until 8:40 remained in the first half when Dion sunk his first 3-pointer to take a two-point lead, 16-14. The Bearcats' Everson Davis scored 10 points in the first half, Dion finished with 11.

Binghamton took the lead at the start of the second half with a dunk by Thomas Bruce and a layup by Timmy Rose to take a 29-27 lead. The second half was much like the first half with no team leading by six points until the junior Dion made two free throws with 1:03 to play which put the Wildcats up 54-48 and seal the victory.

-POSTGAME NOTES-
UNH STARTERS (SEASON/CAREER STARTS)
Jr. G Jaleen Smith (26/70)
So. F Iba Camara (27/35)
So. F Tanner Leissner (26/53)
Sr. G Ronnel Jordan (26/28)
Jr. G Joe Bramanti (24/43)

GROUPS RECORD: 11-3

SERIES INFO

The Wildcats have won four straight against the Bearcats and earned its first playoff victory against Binghamton to even the series at 1-1 in the postseason.

ATTENDANCE: 1866

TEAM NOTES

New Hampshire recorded 13 offensive rebounds to Binghamton's two.
The Wildcats shot 82.6 percent (19-23) from the free-throw line.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Daniel Dion: 23 points / 3 rebounds / 6 of 14 FGs / 7-7 FTs
Tanner Leissner: 14 points / 11 rebounds / 1 assist / 5-6 FTs
Jaleen Smith: 8 points / 4 rebounds / 2 assists / 1 steal / 4-4 FTs

Willie Rodriguez: 17 points / 5 rebounds / 1 block / 1 steal / 6-9 FGs
Timmy Rose: 15 points / 8 rebounds / 5 assists / 1 steal / 7 of 15 FGs
Everson Davis: 12 points / 2 rebounds / 1 block / 5 of 9 FGs / 4 of 6 FTs

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