Boston, Mass. - The Rivier College Raiders (4-10 overall, 1-6 GNAC) edged the Suffolk University Men's Basketball team (5-9 overall, 1-5 GNAC), 66-62 on Monday afternoon at the Regan Gymnasium to pick up their first win in GNAC conference play this season.
The Raiders managed to hang on in the game's final seconds despite another monster effort from Rams' freshman Matt Pepdjonovic (Quincy, Mass.), who posted his eighth double-double of the season leading all scorers with 21 points and all rebounders with 15 boards.
Both teams played a tight defensive battle but the Rams were unable to hit the key shot in the game's final forty seconds as they battled to keep the game within one possession.
Junior Nick Bean (East Longmeadow, Mass.) led the way with 14 points, four rebounds and five assists for the Raiders. Sophomore Joe Granato (Arlington, Mass.) also had 14 points, while freshman Elisha Robinson scored 12 points, shooting 5-for-5 from the field.
The game featured seven lead changes as both team played each other tough, with Rivier holding the largest lead of the game at seven midway through the first period. Suffolk would manage to come back and even up the back and forth battle on four occasions, and were able to hold a lead as big as four points early in the second half.
Back to back three-point plays by the Raiders with eleven minutes remaining put the up for good as Bean connected on the first, followed by freshman Brian Troy (Keene, N.H) sinking a shot in the corner that fueled Rivier for the game's closing minutes.
Sophomore Mike Gibbons (Ringwood, N.J.) scored 12 points and had three steals in the game, including one that could have been a potential game-breaker with :18 seconds remaining, but the Rams' offensive bid fell short.
Sophomore Luke Barrett (Cincinnati, Ohio) also chipped in with 12 points and five rebounds for Suffolk, while freshman Colin Halpin (Melrose, Mass.) had 8 points working the post for the Rams along with seven rebounds.
The Rams held the edge in rebounds on the game, collecting 48 boards compared to Rivier's 40.
The Raiders will be back in action on Saturday as they travel to Lasell College to take on the Lasers. The Rams are back in action on Saturday as they travel to Albertus Magnus College in a GNAC matchup beginning at 3:00pm.