SAINTS EARN 69-57 GNAC WIN AT RIVIER

NASHUA, N.H. - The Emmanuel College Men's Basketball Team captured its first Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) win of the season on Wednesday night, when the Saints downed Rivier University, 69-57, on the Raiders' home court inside the Muldoon Center.  Rookie guard Kyle Smith (Los Angeles, Calif.) poured in 18 points to lead four double-figures scorers for the visiting Saints.  The much-needed conference victory boosted Emmanuel to 3-10 on the season and 1-6 in league play.  The loss dropped Rivier to 5-9 overall and 2-5 in GNAC action.

Smith's game-high 18 points came off of 8-for-13 shooting from the field. Senior guard Josh Welles (Philadelphia, Pa.) knocked down 7-for-8 from the line en route to his 13 points. Freshman James Sullivan (Wethersfield, Conn.) and junior guard Jordan DeMario (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) came off the bench to chip in with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Sullivan led Emmanuel on the glad with his team-high 8 rebounds.

The Saints committed just 8 turnovers on the night and shot 77.8% from the line as a team (14-18). Emmanuel was also 7-for-12 from behind the arc, led by Smith and Welles, who drained two trifectas apiece.

Senior Tom Poitras (Bow, N.H.) led the way for Rivier as he went 6-for-15 from the floor to tie Smith for game-high honors with 18 points and pulled down 12 rebounds. Classmate Nick Walch (Dedham, Mass.) added 12 points and 8 rebounds, while senior Emmanuel Smith (New York, N.Y.) contributed 7 for the Raiders.

Rivier will host Suffolk University on Saturday afternoon in a 1:00 PM GNAC contest. Emmanuel will also be back in action on Saturday as they host Anna Maria College in a 1:00 PM tip.

- Courtesy of Rivier University Sports Information