The Suffolk University Men's Basketball team opened the New England College Invitational Tournament with an 83-70 victory over the University of Maine Presque-Isle on Saturday afternoon. Sophomore Colin Halpin (Melrose, Mass.) finished with a career-high 25 points, shooting 11-for-15 from the field as the Rams now move to 2-0 on the young season.

Sophomore Matt Pepdjonovic (Quincy, Mass.) collected his second double-double in as many games with 16 points and 17 rebounds, while freshman Dennis Driftmeyer (Haverhill, Mass.) had 17 points. Senior Allan Ray (Lynn, Mass.) finished the evening with eight points and 11 rebounds for the Rams who now advance to tomorrow's championship game against the host Pilgrims at noon. Suffolk were the winners of last year's invitational tournament.

The game was close in the first half as Suffolk went into the break with a one-point lead after junior Justin Barall (East Hampton, Conn.) put the Rams up 42-41 with fifty seconds remaining.

The Rams would come out quick in the second half going on a 13-3 run within the first seven minutes of action. The Rams would continue to pour on the offense as they built their lead to 69-51 after Driftmeyer pushed through the Owls defense for a layup. With two minutes remaining Suffolk would have their biggest lead of the day at 19 as Halpin drove to the basket for two.

The big men down low proved to be too much for the Owls as the Rams scored 52 of their points in the paint in the game.  The Rams held a 54-32 edge on the glass in the contest.

Driftmeyer was a perfect 5-for-5 in field goals in the contest, as Suffolk shot fifty-percent from the field in the second half.