BABSON PARK, Mass. – Suffolk men's basketball suffered its first setback of 2019-20 as Babson Invitational host Babson defeated the Rams, 97-70, Sunday afternoon at Staake Gymnasium. 

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 70 | Babson 97
RECORDS: Suffolk (1-1) | Babson (2-0) 

HOW IT HAPPENED
It was all Babson from the get-go as the hosts put up nine points in the first two minutes and used a stand-up defensive to keep Suffolk scoreless. 

That early edge grew to lopsided 25-9 cushion at the midway point and blossomed to a hefty 53-29 advantage at the half.  

Out of the locker rooms, William Rowe scored the first four points of the half to slice the margin down to 20, 53-33. The Beavers had an answer for each of the blue-and-gold's bucket from there to hold off a Rams' rally for a comeback and hold onto the decisive victory.    

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Alex Jacovides found his grove from downtown to pace Suffolk's attack with 16 points on a 4-for-6 showing from beyond-the-arc. 
• Max Bonney-Liles added a boast from the bench with 12 points. The sophomore was also impressive on the long ball, going 3-for-5 from three-point range to finish the outing with a 4-for-7 connection rate with four assists, a pair of rebounds and one block to his credit. 
• Rowe rounded out the trio in double figures for Suffolk with an 11-point, five-carom effort.
• Suffolk struggled offensively, shooting just 39.0 percent (23-59) from the floor, 37.5 percent (9-24) from distance and 62.5 percent at the free throw line. 
• Babson, who had five players in double-digits anchored by Crew Ainge's game-high 17 points, won the battle on the glass, 41-33. 

NOTEWORTHY

• Suffolk renewed a rivalry with Babson, meeting the Beavers for the first time since 2006. 
• The Rams slipped to 15-34 all-time against the Beavsrs. 
• Bonney-Liles matched a personal-best four assists. 
• Rowe registered career highs in points (11) and rebounds (5). 
• Matt Sannella made his collegiate debut.  

POST-GAME PIC
 

WHAT'S NEXT?
The Rams lift the lid on its home scheduled with a non-conference clash against Lasell Saturday, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m.