WATERVILLE, Maine --- Don Poitras (Bow, NH) had 26 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists to lead the Rivier College men's basketball team to a 71-67 win over Framingham State on Saturday in the opening round of the Colby College Invitational at Wadsworth Gymnasium.
Rivier (3-1) will meet Colby in the title game at 2 p.m. on Sunday, with Framingham taking on Maine Maritime Academy in the consolation game at noon.
Elisha Robinson (Proctor, VT) added 11 points for Rivier and teammate Nick Bean (E. Longmeadow, MA) had six points, seven rebounds, and four assists.
Royce Veal paced Framingham (2-6) with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Juan Lopez had 11 points.
The Raiders shot 52% from the floor and 45% from the three point line, with 4 different players connecting from behind the arc. Rivier did struggle with handling the ball, committing 21 turnovers in the game, but the Raider defense was able to hold Framingham to just 31% shooting from the floor to claim the victory.
12 of Poitras' 26 points came from the free throw line, where he was a pefrect 12 for 12 on the day. Freshman Shawn Gareau (Hardwick, MA) went 2 for 3 from behind the three point line in 11 minutes of play while junior Joe Granato (Arlington, MA) saw his playing time increase as he contributed with 3 points and 3 rebounds.
