Emerson College used a 17-0 run to rally from an early second half 30-40 deficit to defeat neighborhood rival Suffolk University 59-52 at Emerson's Brown & Plofker Gym in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference match-up.

Suffolk had a 38-30 halftime lead based on 58% shooting from the field while holding the Lions to 32%.  A jumper by Justin Barall '12 (East Hampton, Conn.) gave the Rams a 10-point cushion with 19:26 remaining in the game.   Emerson then held Suffolk scoreless for the next 11:49 before Allan Ray '11 (Lynn, Mass.) connected on a layup.  During the run Emerson's Tom Messinger '11 (Florence, Mass.) and Carlos Negrete '12 (Mission Viejo, Calif.) each had seven points including a three-pointer, and Alex Dempsey '12 (Anchorage, Ak.) pitched in the other three.

Suffolk refused to fold, however and rallied to tie the game at 51 on a Mike Gibbons '12 (Ringwood, N.J.) free throw.  A second Gibbons freebie gave the Rams a 52-51 lead with 1:42 remaining.  Messinger answered at the 1:09 mark with a three ball and the Lions capped the game with five free throws down the stretch.

Suffolk broke out to a 7-0 lead to start the game.  Emerson crawled back to within 16-19 on a Messinger trifecta that Barall answered on the Rams' next trip down the floor.  The Lions pulled within four points following three free throws off a Suffolk foul and technical foul, but two buckets by Colin Halpin '13 (Melrose, Mass.) gave the Rams the eight-point halftime bulge.

It was Emerson's defense that dominated the second half as the Lions scored 17 points off Ram turnovers and held the rams to 21% shooting from the field.  Emerson shot little better (24%) but gave up only three points off turnovers.

Halpin led all scorers with 18 in the game and finished with 10 rebounds for a double-double.  Mike Fleming '11 (Exeter, N.H.) had 11 for the Rams and Gibbons added 10.  Matt Pepdjonovic '13 (Quincy, Mass.), the GNAC's fourth leading scorer, was held without a point but did gather 10 rebounds.

Messinger dropped in 16 points to lead Emerson and was 4-6 from long range.  Dempsey added 11.

Emerson hosts GNAC leader St. Joseph's College in a Conference match-up on Thursday at 7:00.  Suffolk will travel to Johnson & Wales for a 7:30 tip that same evening.

(Story courtesy of Emerson College Athletic Communications)