FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Simonds scores 38 to lead Saint
Joseph's Maine past Lasell in overtime
Top-seeded Albertus Magnus College, second-seeded Johnson & Wales University and fourth-seeded Saint Joseph's College of Maine all won at home on Tuesday evening as the 2015 GNAC Men's Basketball Tournament began play with quarterfinal action.
Sixth-seeded Emmanuel College was the lone road knock-off of the evening, topping third-seeded Anna Maria College, 76-73, to advance to the GNAC Tournament semifinals on Thursday night.
Emmanuel will travel on Thursday (7:00 p.m.) to Johnson & Wales, which defeated seventh-seeded Mount Ida College by an 81-57 final on Tuesday.
Fourth-seeded Saint Joseph's Maine will travel to top-seeded Albertus Magnus Thursday, also at 7:00 p.m., after surviving fifth-seeded Lasell College, 84-77, in overtime on Tuesday, while the No. 7 nationally ranked Falcons topped eighth-seeded Suffolk University, 108-82.
#1 ALBERTUS MAGNUS 108, #8 SUFFOLK 82 | BOX
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Falcons shot 56.5 percent (39-69 FG) overall, 50 percent from three-point range (7-14 3PT) and led by as many as 33 points in the second half as Albertus Magnus had five student-athletes score in double figures in Tuesday night's win.
Seniors Tavon Sledge and Victor Ljujdjuraj had 18 points apiece, while Sledge had six assists and Ljujdjuraj pulled down eight rebounds. Seniors Lamar Larsen and Julian Sanders both had 13 points, and junior Shaquille Mitchell added 10 in just nine minutes of action. No Falcon played more than 29 minutes in the contest.
Suffolk junior Adam Chick posted game-highs in points (24) and rebounds (10) for the Rams, who trailed 57-33 at halftime.
#4 SAINT JOSEPH'S (MAINE) 84, #5 LASELL 77 (OT) | BOX
STANDISH, Maine – Saint Joseph's of Maine senior Steve Simonds (pictured) had 38 points on 14-of-20 shooting, including 4-of-8 from three, with four rebounds and five assists for the Monks, who outscored the Lasers 16-9 in overtime en route to victory.
After Simonds sank what looked to be the game-winning layup at the end of regulation, Lasell senior Jeremy Daniel was fouled with less than one second remaining, down 68-66, before Daniel connected on both free throws to send it to overtime.
Lasell, which had defeated the Monks, 77-60, at home on February 17, got 18 points and nine rebounds from junior Pat Marchand, who was one of five Lasers to score in double figures. Senior Mike Vallone chipped in 12 points and seven caroms.
Monks senior Zach Blodgett had 19 points (6-10 FG, 7-8 FT) and seven rebounds for the hosts in the win.
#6 EMMANUEL 76, #3 ANNA MARIA 73 | BOX
PAXTON, Mass. – The visiting Saints shot 54.5 percent (30-55 FG) Tuesday night and outrebounded Anna Maria, 35-23, for the upset win. Sophomore Aidan Hadley was 8-of-9 from the floor and doubled-doubled with 20 points and 10 rebounds in 26 minutes off the bench to lead the way for Emmanuel.
Saints sophomore Kyle Smith added 18 points (7-10 FG) and eight assists in the victory.
The AMCATS, who had 23 assists on 29 made field goals, got 13 points, nine assists and three steals from junior Pat Bradanese. Senior Quantez Franklin had a team-high 16 points with four boards and senior Mike Gorman dished out six assists in 17 minutes.
#2 JOHNSON & WALES 81, #7 MOUNT IDA 57 | BOX
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Johnson & Wales junior Quarry Greenaway scored 25 points (8-17 FG, 3-4 3PT, 6-9 FT) with nine rebounds, six assists, and just two turnovers in the Wildcats' win Tuesday night. Junior Tom Garrick had 15 points and nine rebounds and rookie Jarell Lawson added 12 points off the bench.
Johnson & Wales shot 45.8 percent from three-point territory, knocking down 11 of 24 attempts.
Mount Ida freshman Jayson Clark had a team-high 12 points for the Mustangs, while sophomore Ethan Dujon contributed eight points and 11 rebounds.
Founded in 1995, the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 12 member institutions and over 3,000 student-athletes across the New England region. Each year, the GNAC sponsors and administers 17 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunities and community involvement.
Quarterfinals - Tuesday, Feb. 24
Game 1: #1 Albertus Magnus 108, #8 Suffolk 82 | BOX | PROGRAM
Game 2: #4 Saint Joseph's (Maine) 84, #5 Lasell 77 (OT) | BOX | PROGRAM
Game 3: #6 Emmanuel 76, #3 Anna Maria 73 | BOX | PROGRAM
Game 4: #2 Johnson & Wales 81, #7 Mount Ida 57 | BOX | PROGRAM
Semifinals - Thursday, Feb. 26
Game 5: #4 Saint Joseph's (Maine) at #1 Albertus Magnus - 7:00 p.m.
Game 6: #6 Emmanuel at #2 Johnson & Wales - 7:00 p.m.
Championship - Saturday, Feb. 28
Game 7: Game 5 vs. Game 6 winner
– #theGNAC –