(Nashua, N.H.) The Rivier University Men's Basketball team earned their first Great Northeast Athletic Conference victory of the season this evening by defeating visiting Emmanuel College, 71-61 at the Muldoon Gymnasium. The Raiders are now 2-4 overall on the season with a 1-0 mark in the conference while Emmanuel falls to 2-4 and 0-1 in the GNAC.

Freshman Andre Ruff (Lowell, Mass.) was the story of the night as the 6-1 guard scored a career high 33 points. The recent GNAC Rookie of the Week went 11-for-17 from the floor, including four three-pointers and a perfect 7-for-7 from the charity stripe. Senior Jake Nelson (Nashua, N.H.) was able to provide some support as he gathered 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 10 points while freshman David Lorden (Pepperell, Mass.) added 10 points off the bench.

Emmanuel saw junior John Clay (Westport, Mass.) record the game's only double-double with 27 points and 12 rebounds. Clay was 11-for-13 from the line and 8-for-17 from the field in the contest. Sophomore Kyle Smith (Los Angeles, Calif.) added 9 points and freshman Colin Cordero (Bolton, Conn.) had 8 points off the bench for the Saints.

The Raiders will travel up to Northfield, Vermont for the 2014 Ed Hockenbury Classic hosted by Norwich University to close out the first half of the season. Rivier will tip-off against Trinity College on Saturday evening. Emmanuel will remain in conference play as they host Saint Joseph's College of Maine on Thursday evening; 7:30pm start time.