Saints Stumble in Regular Season Finale With 74-64 Loss at Anna Maria

PAXTON, Mass. – In the regular season finale, Emmanuel Saints men's basketball couldn't finish their run to a top-four seed in the conference, after falling to the Anna Maria AMCATS, 74-64, on Saturday afternoon in Great Northeast Athletic Conference play.

The Saints finish the regular season 12-13 (8-6 GNAC), taking them out of the running to host a GNAC quarterfinal playoff game. The AMCATS post a final record of 8-17 (3-11 GNAC), as their season has ended.

The final minutes of the game made the difference on Saturday afternoon, as a pair of free throws by Saints sophomore Zaire Baines (Queens, N.Y.) tied the game 62-62 with 5:20 remaining.

In the most critical moment, Anna Maria sprinted away with a 10-0 run in a span of 3:18 to take control of the season finale. The run started with a three-point make by junior Sean Zabari (Miami, Fla.) followed by a 1-of-2 trip to the line by sophomore Jopaul Mckrieth (Springfield, Mass.).

Mckrieth scored with 4:05 remaining on a layup, followed by another 1-of-2 trip to the line, this time by senior Gabe Armstead (Dallas, Ga.), which gave the AMCATS a seven-point edge. Junior Trent Smith (Springfield, Mass.) made a jumper with 3:05 left before capping the 10-0 run at the foul line with 1:45 to go.

Over the 10-0 run, the Saints managed only three shots, missing the trio of attempts, while committing three turnovers.

The two teams traded layups in the final 1:18 as the final five minutes proved vital in making the difference in the Saints 74-64 defeat on Saturday.

A tightly played first half resulted in neither team leading by more than five, as the offenses struggles, both shooting under 40 percent. But the end of the opening 20 minutes, the Saints trailed by two, 34-32.

The start of the second half was no different as a span of nearly 10 minutes was played with the Saints and AMCATS within one possession of each other. Both teams held one possession leads in that span to start the half.

Mckrieth finished with game-highs of 26 points and 16 rebounds, playing 34 minutes in the victory. Armstead added a double-double of his own with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Zabari chipped in with nine points, four boards, and a game-best four steals.

Baines and senior Ryan Grijalva (Stratham, N.H.) both finished with 17 points. Baines played a full 40 minutes while adding six assists and two steals. Grijalva had 10 rebounds in 36 minutes. First-year Cameron Snowden (Franklin Park, N.J.) had 10 points off the Saints bench.

Despite the loss, the Saints will avoid playing in the GNAC Play-In round games on Monday, Feb. 19. Emmanuel starts their playoff run on the road on Tuesday, Feb. 20, with their opponent and time yet to be determined.