Season-Best Second Half Lifts Saints Past Dean, 83-72

FRANKLIN, Mass. – Saints Men's Basketball defeated the Dean College Bulldogs (6-14, 2-7 GNAC) 83-72 in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play inside Pieri Gymnasium Saturday afternoon.

The first half was tightly contested through the first 13 minutes of action. Trailing 22-21, the Bulldogs strung together a 14-5 run to close out the half. Each team made 11 baskets in the half, but Dean built a 35-27 lead thanks to converting 12-of-13 free throws. Weston, Madise and Walker each had eight points for the Bulldogs. Pope registered 11 points to lead the Saints.

In the second half, Emmanuel shot an impressive 72.4% from the floor (21-29) and 66.7% from beyond the arc (6-9). The Saints opened with a 14-4 run and never looked back. The lead ballooned to 18 with 6:29 left to play. Grijalva scored 18 of his 26 points in the half. Weston had 17 in the frame for Dean. 56 points was good enough for the Saints' highest scoring half of the 2023-24 season.

Senior AJ Weston (Kansas City, Mo.) led Dean with 25 points. Senior Charles Walker (Princeton, N.C.) was next with 15 points. Senior Jayden Madise (Palmdale, Calif.) notched his fifth double-double of the season finishing with 14 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Junior Paris Smith (Chicago, Ill.) chipped in with eight points and eight rebounds.

Emmanuel received a game-best and season-high 27 points from senior Donte Pope (Middletown, Conn.). He went 12-of-16 from the floor and grabbed 12 rebounds. Senior Ryan Grijalva (Stratham, N.H.) poured in a career-high 26 points to go with seven boards and four assists. First-year Mahari Guerrier (Stoughton, Mass.) also recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The Bulldogs host the University of Saint Joseph on Tuesday at 5 p.m. Emmanuel will host Albertus Magnus on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

 **Story courtesy of the Dean College Sports Information Department