Game Highlights: Rivier Men's Basketball vs. Framingham St.
NASHUA, N.H. – Graduate Joey Merrill recorded a triple-double, the fifth in all of NCAA Divison III this season, in Rivier men's basketball's 84-54 non-conference victory over Framingham St. on Saturday afternoon at the Muldoon Center.
With the victory, the Raiders improved to 7-3 on the season and remained perfect at home (4-0), while the Rams fell to 6-6.
Trailing 9-2 with 15:35 left in the first half, the Raiders ignited a 9-2 run, using baskets from four different players to tie the game at 13-13 at the 12-minute mark. Merrill then hit a three-pointer to give Rivier its first lead at 18-16. Framingham St. responded with four straight points to regain the lead at 20-18 midway through the half before graduate student Kyler Bosse sparked an 8-0 solo run, followed by a layup from senior Odarius Cade, forcing the Rams to call a timeout at 4:36 with the Raiders up 28-20. The Rams cut the deficit to three, but back-to-back three-pointers by junior Matt Constant and Cade pushed Rivier's advantage back to nine at 34-25. Both teams went cold in the closing moments of the half, heading into halftime with Rivier leading 38-28.
Rivier was fueled by a fast start from Cade, who scored the Raiders' first seven points to extend the lead to 45-30 by the 17:23 mark. Framingham St. replied with a 4-0 run, but Merrill responded, scoring ten straight points to push Rivier's lead to 55-39 with 13:43 remaining. The Raiders continued their offensive surge, embarking on an 11-4 run that was capped by a layup from graduate student Ra'Quan Groves to make it 66-43 with nine minutes to play. Constant then caught fire, draining three consecutive three-pointers to stretch the advantage to 75-48. In the final minute, Merrill secured his 10th assist, finding first-year Matt Youngquist for a basket in the paint, sealing his triple-double and the Raiders' 84-54 victory in dominant fashion.
Cade paced the Raiders with 19 points on an efficient 8-of-15 (53%) shooting while adding five rebounds. Bosse contributed 18 points and five boards, while Merrill added 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. Constant scored an efficient 15 points on 5-of-8 (63%) shooting from beyond the arc, along with seven rebounds and six assists. Groves chipped in with eight points and nine rebounds.
The Raiders dominated from beyond the arc, knocking down 14 three-pointers compared to the Rams' three. The advantage contributed to the Raiders 35.1% shooting from the three-point line compared to Framingham St.'s 28.6%. Rivier also forced 15 turnovers and converted them into a 15-7 advantage in points off turnovers. Additionally, the Raiders outpaced the Rams in second-chance points (7-2), fastbreak points (19-10), and points in the paint (42-32).
The Raiders will head into winter break before returning to action with a road game against non-conference opponent Brandeis on Thursday, Jan. 2. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at the Red Auerbach Arena.
