SAINTS USE BALANCED ATTACK TO DOWN CROSS-TOWN RIVALS

BOSTON, Mass. – The Emmanuel College Men's Basketball Team placed six players in double-figures in the scoring column, as the Saints rolled to a 94-88 win over the host Suffolk University Rams on Saturday afternoon.  This was the fourth win of the season for the visiting Saints, who improved to 2-8 in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action with the win.

The Rams started the first half strong when Frantz Pinard (Arlington, Mass) made a layup to spark a six-point Suffolk run. Suffolk out-paced Emmanuel in the first half and entered the break without trailing once in the game.  Curtis Cassella (Saugus, Mass) drained a three-point at the end of the half to give the Rams a nine-point advantage, 51-42, heading into halftime.

Trailing by nine to start the second frame, the Saints would go down by as many as 17 points at 70-53 with 13:44 left to play, before coming back to take the win.  The Saints utilized tough pressure defense and strong play off the bench to mount their comeback.  Rookie swing-man James Sullivan (Wethersfield, Conn.) converted an old-fashioned three-point play at 8:38 to cut the Saints' deficit to 76-68.

A three-ball from Kyle Smith (Los Angeles, Calif.) sparked a late 14-1 run by Emmanuel, as the visitors surged out in front, 82-79, with 4:21 remaining.  Matt Powers (Westwood, Mass.) nailed a three to tie the game at 82-all, but Jordan DeMario (Aliso Viejo, Calif) drained a jumper to pull the Saints ahead 84-82 and EC would not relinquish the lead for the remainder of the contest.

The well-balanced Emmanuel attack was led by DeMario's 18 points, which came off of 8-9 shooting from the field.  Brandon Jones (Windsor, Conn.) hit for 15 points to go along with his 4 rebounds and 4 steals.  Freshman forward Lyndon Harewood (Brooklyn, N.Y.) hit six of his 12 attempts from the floor en route to his 14 points.  Sullivan, John Clay (Westport, Mass.) and Josh Welles (Philadelphia, Pa.) each chipped in with 10 points, while Smith posted a near double-double with 9 points and 9 rebounds.

Four players for the Rams scored in the double digits with junior Sam Nwadike (Houston, Tx.) scoring a game high 23 points on the afternoon. Casella had 14 points and went a perfect 4-4 from beyond the arc.  Sophomore Caleb Uni (Winchester, Mass) netted 13 points for the Rams and Powers chipped in with 10. Pinard hauled in a game-high 13 rebounds in the losing effort.

This loss drops the Rams to 7-9 overall and 4-5 in GNAC play. The Saints improve to 4-12 and 2-8 in conference action with the win.

The Rams will travel to Anna Maria College on Wednesday for a 7:00 PM start. Emmanuel will host MIT in non-conference play on Monday at 7:00pm.

- Portions of this release courtesy of Suffolk University Sports Information