SAINTS BEAT UP ON SUFFOLK IN REGULAR-SEASON FINALE, 79-53

BOSTON – After a back-and-forth first quarter, Emmanuel took over and the Suffolk women's basketball team could not find its rhythm as the Rams fell, 79-53, Saturday afternoon inside Regan Gymnasium.

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 53, Emmanuel 79
RECORDS: Suffolk (17-7, 12-3 GNAC) | Emmanuel (17-7, 13-2 GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
Emmanuel held the lead early on before a triple from Kelsey Schiebel followed by a traditional three-point play from Caitlyn Caramello swung the edge in Suffolk's favor 9-8 with 3:17 remaining in the first frame. The lead flip-flopped from there and Caramello locked the score at 11-all, before the Saints ended the first 10 minutes on a 7-2 run to hold an 18-13 advantage.

The Saints surged in the second stanza, while Suffolk fell quiet. The visitors outscored the hosts, 22-6, to send the Rams into the locker room down, 40-19.

Out of the break the Rams won the third, 19-17, but could not make a dent in the 21-point halftime deficit to trail the Saints, 57-38.

A late rally never came for Suffolk as Emmanuel answered each of the Rams' buckets to keep the hosts at bay and secure the 79-53 victory.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

·        Katelyn Rourke had an all-around day with 11 points, shooting 40 percent (4-10) from the floor and 3-for-4 at the charity stripe to go with six rebounds two assists and one steal. 

·        Schiebel joined Rourke in double digits with the senior guard notching 11 points on a 4-for-11 day from the field including a 3-for-8 showing from downtown. 

·        Alexandra Clarke paced Suffolk on the boards with a nine to add to her seven points, two assists, one block and one takeawy.

·        Suffolk struggled from the field going just 26.8 percent (15-56) from the floor and 27.8 percent (5-18) from behind the arc. The Rams free throw shooting of 85.7 percent (18-21) kept the blue-and-gold within striking distance.

·        The Rams won the battle on the glass, however, outrebounding the Saints, 41-34.

·        Emmanuel put together a 48.4 connection rate from the field and saw three different players reach double figures in Alexis Ezell (17), Madison McLaughlin (14) and Jen Chalk (10).

NOTEWORTHY

·        Prior to tip, the Rams honored the playing careers of its four graduating players; Georgia Bourikas, Caitlyn Caramello, Clarke and Schiebel. The foursome has recorded for 63 victories, 36 of which came against GNAC competition, throughout their careers which features one trip to the ECAC Tournament and four GNAC Tournament appearances. In 7,860 minutes played, the quartet has combined for 2,384 points and 1,538 rebounds.

·        Suffolk will make its 22nd straight appearance in the GNAC Tournament with all trips coming under the guidance of head coach Ed Leyden.

 WHAT'S NEXT?

Suffolk, who is currently tied with Emmanuel and Johnson & Wales for first-place in the GNAC South Standings, awaits the seeding of the conference tournament with Quarterfinal rounds set to begin Tuesday, Feb. 21.

*Release courtesy of Suffolk University Sports Information