The Emmanuel College Saints (8-4, 2-0 GNAC) outlasted the Suffolk University Rams (8-5, 1-1 GNAC) in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action on Tuesday evening by a 64-58 margin.

Freshman Lena Negri (Arlington, Va.) posted a double-double leading all scorers with 19 points and collected a team-high 13 rebounds for the Saints eight victory of the season and second in GNAC action.

The Rams made things interesting in the final two minutes of the game as they nearly closed a 12-point deficit with three straight three-point shots but could not dig themselves out of the hole the Saints defense made for them. The Rams could only muster seven total points in the opening twelve and a half minutes of the second half as the visitors were able to build a 17-point lead with seven minutes remaining in the contest. The loss drops Suffolk to an 8-5 overall mark on the year as they pick up their first conference loss of the season in the second league game.

The Rams finally seemed to escape their offensive struggles when junior Jacqueline Vienneau (Salem, N.H.) would connect on a three-pointer with eighty-two seconds remaining to make it a 62-51 game in favor of the Saints. Junior Chenae Earle (South Orange, N.J.) then answered connecting on one of her two free throws to put Emmanuel back up by double digits with thirty seven seconds remaining, before senior Mary Garon (Auburn, N.H.) took a pass from Vienneau connecting on a trey of her own to give the Rams some life in the closing seconds of the game.

After a pair of missed free throws, senior Meghan Black (Roslindale, Mass.) nailed a shot for three more points from the corner with eleven seconds to cut the margin to four points, however sophomore Bria Tiro (Saugus, Mass.) went to the line connecting on both of her free throws to seal the victory for the Saints with eight seconds remaining.

Three Emmanuel College shooters finished the game in double digits scoring led by Negri's 19, while Tiro had 15 points and senior Meghan Kirwan (Melrose, Mass.) netted 11 points. Junior Fiona O'Dwyer (Stamford, Conn.) finished the game with 12 rebounds and eight points, while sophomore Victoria Johnson (Syracuse, N.Y.) played a strong defensive first half with four blocked shots.

Garon finished the game with a team-high 15 points for the Rams, while Vieanneau scored 11. Freshman Tori Brillaud (North Andover, Mass.) led all rebounders in the contest with 14 boards.

The defensive pressure of Emmanuel proved to be too much for the Rams in the rematch of last year's GNAC Tournament finals as Suffolk had trouble all night getting the ball past half court. The Saints forced 25 turnovers which results in 16 points combined with Suffolk shooting thirty-percent from the field in the contest.

Both teams will be back in GNAC action on Saturday. Emmanuel will host Rivier College at 1:00pm, while Suffolk travels to Mount Ida College for a 5:00pm matchup.