Posted: Nov 29, 2011
Suffolk University used a pivotal 16-2 run late in the second half to turn a six-point deficit into a nine-point advantage as the Rams posted a 73-60 men's basketball victory over host Daniel Webster in a matchup of old regional foes Tuesday night at Mario Vagge Gymnasium.
Matt Pepdjonovic (Quincy, Mass.) led all scorers with a double double and game-high of 29 points and 14 rebounds including seven on the offensive glass. Chris Torres (Brockton, Mass.) added 14 points and five assists for the Rams (3-2) while Colin Halpin (Melrose, Mass.) chipped in with 12 points and six boards.
Eric Suarez (Brooklyn, N.Y.) led the Eagles (0-4) with 19 points while John Hickson (Springfield, Mass.) added 14 and Dave Schindewolf (Robbinsville, N.J.) chipped in with nine points.
Suffolk effectively used its height advantage inside, finishing with a 54-37 advantage on the glass, 38-24 on points in the paint, and added 18 second-chance points to nine for the Eagles.
DWC trailed by six (44-38) early in the second half before pulling even on a Keith Speed (Columbus, Ohio) jumper and a three from Schindewolf capped a 9-0 run for a 47-44 Eagle lead.
Back-to-back layups from Suarez helped build the lead to 53-47 with 7:21 to go, but another trey from Torres and two inside moves from Pepdjonovic tied it at 55 with 4:31 to go.
Torres buried two at the line, Halpin followed inside, Jordan Jones (N. Smithfield, R.I.) sank two at the line and Pepdjonovic again went inside for a 63-55 lead with 1:56 to effectively seal the victory.
DWC had opened strong, building an 11-point lead (25-14) after a Kevin Gates (Chicago, Ill.) jumper at the 9:27 mark, but Suffolk closed the half on a 17-4 run keyed by two jumpers from Torres and Suffolk took a 31-29 lead into the break.
The Eagles return to action on Thursday as they visit intracity rival Rivier beginning at 8:00 p.m.
Suffolk hosts UMass Boston Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
(Story courtesy of Daniel Webster College)