11/22/2008 -

Joe Cooke was one of two player to knock down four three-pointers on Friday night.

CLINTON, NY – Sophomore Dino Johnson (Amsterdam, NY) led five Mount Saint Vincent players in double-figures with 24 points, but the Dolphins were downed at Hamilton by a score of 107-93 in the Opening Round of the Hamilton Tip-Off Tournament. Senior co-captain Joe Cooke (Mount Vernon, NY) chipped in 18 points on 50-percent shooting for the Dolphins.

After shooting under 30-percent from the floor in the season opener on Tuesday night, Mount Saint Vincent shot nearly 52-percent overall and nearly 53-percent from behind the three-point line. The Dolphins converted 31-60 from the field and an impressive 10-19 from long range. The Mount also knocked down 21 of its 26 free-throws in the contest.

Eric Lastres (Bayside, NY) opened the scoring in the tilt with a lay-up inside the first minute to give the Dolphins their only lead of the contest. Hamilton would extend the lead to as many as 10 points twice in the opening period before the Dolphins would begin to chip away.

Mount Saint Vincent trimmed the lead to a single point three times before halftime, before eventually headed to the locker room down 46-41. Johnson scored 16 of his 24 in the opening period on 5-6 shooting overall. As a team, the Mount shot 48.4-percent from the floor and knocked down five three-point baskets.

With 6:50 left in regulation Hamilton stretched the lead to 23 points, it largest advantage of the night, on a pair of free-throws from Max Shillalies. From there, the Dolphins fought their way back to within just nine points with 1:06 left to play on a pair of free-throws from Ryan Brunelle (Carmel, NY). Hamilton would convert 7-8 from the foul line down the stretch to earn the final 14 point win.

Overall on the night, Johnson went 8-12 from the field, 4-6 from three-point range and a perfect 4-4 from the foul line. Cooke shot 7-14 from the floor on the night and also knocked down four triples.

Freshman Randy Battle (Bronx, NY) continued his strong early season play with 15 points and three rebounds, while Lastres chipped in with 10 points and four boards. Newcomer Nick DiMaggio (Croton, NY) had a solid outing on Friday as he posted 11 points and three assists.

Keiran Halton (Manasquan, NJ) finished the night with two rebounds, five points and a team-high four assists for the Dolphins.

Hamilton also placed five players in double-figures as it was led by Harlee Williams with 23 points. Patrick Sullivan posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 boards in the winning effort.

The loss drops Mount Saint Vincent to 0-2 overall heading into this afternoon’s consolation game. The Dolphins will square-off with Wells at 2:00 p.m.