Boston, MA - The Suffolk University Rams (4-0 overall) staved off a late-rally by Salve Regina to escape with a 73-71 victory Tuesday evening at the Regan Gymnasium. Suffolk who had a 20-point lead in the first half watched Salve tie the game with 3:11 remaining.
Freshman Matt Pepdjonovic (Quincy, MA) put the Rams up by two with 1:03 for what would turn out to be the game deciding basket as Suffolk tightened the defense in the game's final minute to start the season 4-0 for the first time in over a decade.
Sophomore Mike Gibbons (Ringwood, NJ) got the Rams out right of the gate connecting on six 3-point field goals in the first half as the Rams pushed their biggest margin to a 46-26 lead with three minutes remaining in the first half. Gibbons had 20 of his team-high 27 points in the first half.
The story of the game would be the Rams' defense who clamped down with the game in grasp. After the Seahawks jumped out to an 11-2 run to start the second half, Salve would start gaining momentum. Salve's Jabreche Boyd (West Haven, CT) scored 16 points in the second half as Salve outscored the Rams 33-27 in the game's final twenty minutes.
Sophomore Sam Hutchins (Andover, MA) had the play of the game with :05 seconds remaining as he forced a Salve turnover and was fouled to bring the ball down the other end of the court. Pepdjonovic also had a major block with :21 seconds remaining.
Junior Allan Ray (Lynn, MA) had 13 rebounds for the Rams, including 11 defensive boards as Suffolk outrebounded the Seahawks 53-38. Pepdjonovic finished the game with 13 points and 17 boards for his third double-double this season in four games. Freshman Nolan DiPanfilo (Saugus, MA) also had 10 points for Suffolk. Pepdjonovic and freshman Karl Busch (Smithfield, RI) each had four blocked shots for Suffolk.
Salve junior Dan Royce (Mahwah, NJ) finished the game with 12 points and 9 rebounds.
Salve Regina will be back in action on Tuesday as they travel to Roger Williams at 8:00pm. The Rams will be back in action on Saturday as they travel across the Charles River to take on MIT at 2:00pm.