The Suffolk University Men's Basketball team hosted the Mount Ida Mustangs in Great Northeast Athlethic Conference (GNAC) action tonight. The Rams outlasted the Mustangs in a 81-69 victory.
The Rams were off to a slow start in the first half when the Mustagns were the first to get on the board. Sophomore Curtis Cassella (Saugus, Mass.) got the Rams within one point 11-10 with 13:01 on the clock when he sank his first three pointer of the night. The Mustangs would not lose steam and would keep putting pressure on the Rams. Sophomore Michael Joseph (Windsor, Conn.) would answer with a three pointer to keep Mount Ida on top. Midway through the half junior Sam Nwadike (Houston, Tx.) would make a layup to tie the game 14-14 with 10:27 left on the clock. The game would be tied two more times in the half before Nwadike would drive in hard to the basket to make a layup to put the Rams ahead 35-34 going into the half.
Mount Ida would come out in the second half looking to redeem themselves and once again were the first to get on the board. Sophomore Caleb Unni (Winchester, Mass.) would make back to back threes to put the Rams up 44-36. The Mustangs would never recover their lead. With just under five minutes on the clock Joseph would make a lay up to cut the Suffolk's lead down to six. Casella would hit a three pointer that would put the Rams up 76-63 at 3:21. Suffolk would hold onto the lead and close out the second half strong for the win over Mount Ida.
The Rams had three players score in the double digits. Casella netted a team high 21 points and was a perfect 5 for 5 from the free throw line. Unni had 19 points on the night and Nwadike pitched in with 18 points and six rebounds.
Nathan Bueno (Methuen, Mass) had a team high 21 points for the Mustangs. And Joseph would follow right behind with 20 points.
Senior Kenny Jean (Dorchester, Mass) had the game's only double double with 14 points and a game high16 rebounds on the night.
This win bumps the Rams up to 9-12 overall and 6-8 in GNAC play. The Mustangs fall to 5-16 overall and 2-12 in conference action.
The Rams will be back in action on Thursday to take on Lasell College at home at 7:30pm in GNAC play. Mount Ida will be hosting conference rival Saint Joseph's Maine at 6pm.