BOSTON – The Suffolk men's basketball team knocked down 18 buckets from behind-the-arc and shot 51.4 percent from downtown to defeat Colby Sawyer, 86-78, Saturday afternoon inside Regan Gymnasium.
THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 86 | Colby Sawyer 78
RECORDS: Suffolk (14-6, 5-1 GNAC) | Colby Sawyer (11-10, 5-3 GNAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Thomas Duffy got things going with his first of what would be five triples on the day. The Rams rallied around the junior's hoop and went up 10-4 early. Colby Sawyer charged back with seven unanswered points to flip the switch in its favor, 11-10.
Suffolk would not remain down for long as Michael Hagopian responded for the Rams with back-to-back treys to put the blue-and-gold in front once again, 16-11. The foes went shot-for-show for the majority of the first half from there with the lead swapping three times and tying on four occasions.
The Chargers were the first to couple consecutive hoops together as Nick Backer and Nat Trevino converted on layups to build a six-point, 40-34, cushion for the visitors. With time winding down and just seconds remaining, Duffy converted a one-on-one move into two points to trim the margin back to four, 40-36, as the teams headed to the locker room.
The Rams climbed back into the swing of things and then some as they rolled out of the intermission on a 17-2 run to grab a 51-42 advantage at the 15:49 minute mark. Suffolk kept the Chargers at an arm's length until the midway point when the visitors cut it back to a two-possession game after Jourdain Bell sunk a pair of freebies.
Duffy distanced the rivals as the junior sandwiched layups around a Cameron Powers' three pointer that turned it into a 71-59 Suffolk score with 7:40 to go in the second.
Colby Sawyer would not go down without a fight as it pulled back within six, 71-65, with just over four minutes remaining.
Jeff Juron took a timeout to slow the Chargers down and talk things over. The huddle worked as Duffy knocked down a long ball and Jim Djema followed suit on the Rams' next turn to keep CSC at a safe distance away.
It was a back-and-forth affair over the final two minutes. Suffolk matched each Charger hoop with one of its own and took care of business at the line to lock up the 86-78 conference victory.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Duffy's day ended with 32 points on an 11-for-15 effort from the field, 5-for-7 from three-point range and 5-for-5 at the line. In addition to his scoring, he contributed seven assists, six boards and a pair of steals.
- Off the bench Brendan Mulsonprovide 17 points, four caroms, two helpers and two steals.
- Djema rounded out the trio of Rams in double figures with a 16-point performance behind a 5-for-9 day from the floor, which including a highlight 4-for-5 effort beyond-the-arc. The senior set-up four shots, grabbed three rebounds and had one block and steal, respectively.
- Steven DiPrizioflirted with a double-double with a team-high 12 boards to go along with nine points.
- Hagopian had nine points, three boards, four dimes, one takeaway and one swat to his credit.
- Six Rams combined for Suffolk's 18 threes.
- Suffolk shot 48.3 percent from the floor (28-58), 51.4 percent (18-35) from behind-the-arc and 92. 3 percent (12-13) from the charity stripe.
- The Chargers, who saw Bean and Bell each produce 21 points, outrebounded Suffolk, 37-35.
NOTEWORTHY
- Suffolk and Colby Sawyer renewed a rivalry meeting for the first time since 1995 and fifth time overall.
- The Rams tangled with the Chargers for the first time under Juron's guidance.
- Suffolk defeated Colby Sawyer for the first time since the inaugural meeting between the foes in 1991 and second-time overall.
- The Rams are 1-0 versus the Chargers with Juron on the bench.
- Prior to tip-off, Suffolk honored the playing careers of its four-member class of 2019; DiPrizio, Djema, Hagopian and Kevin Querusio.
- Duffy had his second 30-plus point game of the season.
POST-GAME PIC
COMING UP
Suffolk is back in Regan Gymnasium Tuesday, Feb. 5 when it welcomes cross town and conference rival Emmanuel for a 7 p.m. battle.
