
BOSTON – Suffolk men's basketball had a well-balanced effort with four players in double figures to secure a convincing 100-62 win over Western New England in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action Saturday afternoon at Larry E. and Michael S. Smith Court.
THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 100 | Western New England 62
RECORDS: SUFFOLK (6-1, 2-0 CCC) | Western New England (2-6, 0-2 CCC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
It was all Suffolk in the first few minutes as the Rams held the Golden Bears without a point until the 17:25 minute mark. In the first 2:35 the blue-and-gold built a 9-0 edge. That opening offensive output featured five points from Keenan Robertson.
Robertson proved he had the green light from just about everywhere as the freshman responded to WNE's triple with a lay-up and a triple of his own to give the hosts a double-digit, 11-point advantage less than four minutes into the action. That cushion grew to 23-9 with 12:35 on the clock as Western New England used 30 seconds to figure out Suffolk.
Action turned into a game of runs the Golden Bears used a 12-3 rally to pull within one-possession game, 26-23, with just under seven minutes remaining before half time. Controlled shifted back in Suffolk's favor as the hosts outscored the visitors, 21-3, the rest of the way to bring a comfortable 47-30 cushion into the locker room.
Suffolk recharged over halftime and burst out on a 15-4 span in the first five minutes to extend its advantage to 62-34 when Jeff Juron took a timeout with 15:07 to play.
Western New England attempted to slow the Rams down out of the huddle with full-court pressure. Suffolk had other things in mind though and used the next five minutes to stretch the distance to 76-45.
Over the final 10 minutes the blue-and-gold used its entire 15-player roster to maintain that margin and then some to walk away with the conference triumph.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- William Rowe anchored Suffolk on both ends of the hardwood with a 17-point, 13-rebound double-double effort in 23 minutes. He shot 70 percent (7-10) from the floor.
- Robertson registered 15 points to go along with seven boards, three assists and one takeaway. He did not miss at the line, converting all six of his tries.
- Nate Hale had 14 points, three caroms, two dimes, one block and one takeaway.
- Conor Creane supplied 12 points in just 14 minutes off the bench. He shot 4-for-5 from the field, which include a 1-for-2 showing from 3-point range.
- Suffolk shot 59.7 percent (37-62) from the floor, 39.1 percent (9-23) from behind-the-arc and 73.9 percent (17-23) from the charity stripe.
- The Rams won the battle on the boards, 41-33.
NOTEWORTHY
- The Rams ran their win streak to five. That is the most victories in a row since stringing seven triumphs together Jan. 30-Feb. 14, 2019.
- Suffolk started its conference calendar 2-0 for the first time since matching that league start in 2018-19.
- The Rams defeated the Golden Bears for the ninth time overall, first since a 91-77 overtime victory Jan. 14, 2019.
- Suffolk moved to 9-14 all-time against WNE.
- The Rams are now 2-1 versus the Golden Bears with Juron on the bench.
- Suffolk improved to 4-5 against Western New England in Boston.
- Suffolk scored 100 points against Western New England for the first time.
- The 38-point victory is the largest for Suffolk in the all-time series with the Golden Bears.
- Suffolk has poured in 100 points twice this season. The Rams have hit the 100-point mark in two games in back-to-back seasons.
- Rowe notched his first double-double of the season, fourth of his career and first a double-double outing at Gordon March 25, 2021.
- Ray Bosquet hit a career-high in points (7), field goals made (3), rebounds (2) and steals (3).
- Abdulahi Aden scored the first points of his collegiate a career.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk ventures to Roger Williams Tuesday, Dec. 7 for a 7 p.m. CCC clash.