Boston, Mass. – The Rivier College Raiders (4-10 overall,
1-6 GNAC) edged the Suffolk University Men's Basketball team
(5-9 overall, 1-5 GNAC), 66-62 on Monday afternoon at the Regan
Gymnasium to pick up their first win in GNAC conference play this
season.
The Raiders managed to hang on in the game's final seconds
despite another monster effort from Rams' freshman Matt
Pepdjonovic (Quincy, Mass.), who posted his eighth double-double of
the season leading all scorers with 21 points and all rebounders
with 15 boards.
Both teams played a tight defensive battle but the Rams were
unable to hit the key shot in the game's final forty seconds
as they battled to keep the game within one possession.
Junior Nick Bean (East Longmeadow, Mass.) led
the way with 14 points, four rebounds and five assists for the
Raiders. Sophomore Joe Granato (Arlington, Mass.)
also had 14 points, while freshman Elisha Robinson scored 12
points, shooting 5-for-5 from the field.
The game featured seven lead changes as both team played each
other tough, with Rivier holding the largest lead of the game at
seven midway through the first period. Suffolk would manage to come
back and even up the back and forth battle on four occasions, and
were able to hold a lead as big as four points early in the second
half.
Back to back three-point plays by the Raiders with eleven
minutes remaining put the Raiders up for good as Bean connected on
the first, followed by freshman Brian Troy (Keene,
N.H) sinking a shot in the corner that fueled Rivier for
the game's closing minutes.
Rams sophomore Mike Gibbons (Ringwood, N.J.) scored 12 points
and had three steals in the game, including one that could have
been a potential game-breaker with :18 seconds remaining, but the
Rams' offensive bid fell short. Sophomore Luke Barrett
(Cincinnati, Ohio) also chipped in with 12 points and five rebounds
for Suffolk, while freshman Colin Halpin (Melrose, Mass.) had 8
points working the post for the Rams along with seven rebounds.
The Rams held the edge in rebounds on the game, collecting 48
boards compared to Rivier's 40.
The Raiders will be back in action on Saturday as they travel to
Lasell College to take on the Lasers. The Rams are back in action
on Saturday as they travel to Albertus Magnus College in a GNAC
matchup beginning at 3:00pm.