JWU SNAPS SAINTS’ STREAK, 79-61

BOSTON, Mass. – Emmanuel College suffered a 79-61 loss to Johnson & Wales University in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) men's basketball action played in the Jean Yawkey Center on Saturday afternoon.  With the win, JWU improves to 17-4 overall and 12-2 in GNAC action.  The Saints, who had entered the contest on a three-game win streak, saw their streak end and their record drop to 7-12 on the season and 5-8 in league play.

JWU capitalized on its full-court zone pressure and transition game, building an early 17-8 lead, behind eight quick points in the first six minutes of play from JWU leading scorer Quarry Greenaway (Westchester, N.Y.).  The Wildcats made it a 21-8 game after forcing Emmanuel's eighth turnover in less than eight minutes of action.  JWU pushed the spread to 28-12 near the ten-minute mark, forcing a second timeout by the Saints.

Greenaway connected on an old-fashioned three-point play to make it a twenty-point game, 37-17, and force a third Emmanuel timeout with 3:53 left to play in the half.  The Saints took a pair of charges late in the half to provide a spark for the hosts, but the Wildacats were able to enter halftime with a solid 42-23 advantage.

JWU's pressure defense forced 14 first-half turnovers by the Saints and held Emmanuel to just eight field goals in the opening frame.  Greenaway led all scorers with his 17 first-half points, coming off 6-10 shooting.

The second half featured some early low-post scoring from junior center Kyle Davis (Groveland, Mass.), giving the hosts some momentum in the opening minutes.  A series of EC fouls then shifted the momentum back to the Wildcats, as the Saints were called for their ninth foul in the first eight minutes, forcing double-bonus free throw shooting for JWU for the remainder of the game.

Sophomore forward Aidan Hadley (Owls Head, Maine) scored in the paint for EC to cut the Saints' deficit to 15 points at 58-43 with just over eight left to play.  Classmate Tyler Russ (Stratham, N.H.) buried a three-ball to bring the Saints back to within twelve, down 61-49, but the Saints would draw no closer and JWU held on for the 79-61 win.

Greenaway paced the Wildcats with his game-high 26 points.  The junior guard  knocked down 13-16 from the stripe and hauled in seven boards.  Junior Tom Garrick (Seekonk, Mass.) and rookie guard Jarell Lawson (Providence, R.I.) each netted 12 points to help pace the Wildcats.

Davis finished with 17 points to lead the Saints.  Five players, including John Clay (Westport, Mass.) Colin Cordero (Bolton, Conn.), Kyle Smith (Los Angeles, Calif.), Hadley and Russ all hit for seven points apiece for Emmanuel.

The sloppy game featured a combined 57 fouls and 72 free throws attempts by the two teams.  JWU committed 18 turnovers, while the Saints were responsible for 19 errors on the day.

Both teams return to GNAC action this Tuesday, February 10th.  The Saints will host the Cadets of Norwich University in a 7:00 PM in the Jean Yawkey Center, while the Wildcats travel to Anna Maria College for a 7:00 PM start.