Ursinus holds off St. Lawrence, 82-76

WILLIAMSTOWN, MA -- No. 4 ranked Ursinus opened its season with a 82-76 victory over St. Lawrence at the Williams College Invitational Friday night.

The Bears (1-0) never trailed in the second half, although St. Lawrence closed within one early in the second stanza and two down the stretch. But John Noonan, who led Ursinus with 22 points, hit two key free throws with 19 seconds left to seal the victory.

Ursinus led 66-61 with four minutes to go when Noonan hit a clutch three-pointer to boost the lead to eight. Matt Hilton, who finished his night with 17 points and 7 assists, then hit key trey with 1:56 left.

But the Saints would not go quietly. With 19 ticks remaining on the clock, Ralph Temgoua stole the ball and dished it to Terry Parham, who knocked down a three-pointer to make it 78-76. After the Saints fouled, Keith Page made one of two free throws to make it 79-76. Noonan grabbed the offensive rebound off the miss and was fouled. He sank both freebies for an 81-76 lead.

Tom Wopperer paced St. Lawrence with 18 points, while Temgoua netted 17 and guard Josh Sharlow posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Ursinus rallied from an early deficit to lead at the half, 38-33. The Bears shot 53.6 percent (15 of 28) in the half, led by Noonan's 12 points. Hilton addd nine points and four assists. Wopperer scored 11 points in the first half to keep the Saints close, while Sharlow contributed eight.