CLAY POURS IN CAREER-HIGH AS SAINTS FALL TO RAIDERS IN GNAC OPENER

NASHUA, N.H. – Despite a career-high 27-point performance from junior captain John Clay (Westport, Mass.), the Emmanuel College Men's Basketball Team dropped its Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opener to Rivier University, 71-61, at the Muldoon Gymnasium. With the loss, the Saints drop to 2-4 on the season, while the Raiders improve to 2-4 overall with the win.

Freshman Andre Ruff (Lowell, Mass.) was the story of the night for the host Raiders, as the 6-1 guard scored a career high 33 points. The recent GNAC Rookie of the Week went 11-for-17 from the floor, including four three-pointers and a perfect 7-for-7 from the charity stripe. Senior Jake Nelson (Nashua, N.H.) was able to provide some support for the hosts, as he gathered 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 10 points, while freshman David Lorden (Pepperell, Mass.) added 10 points off the bench.

Clay's 27 points led the Saints, and he recorded the game's only double-double, hauling in a game-high 12 rebounds. Clay went 11-for-13 from the line and 8-for-17 from the field in his 34 minutes of action. Sophomore guard Kyle Smith (Los Angeles, Calif.) added 9 points and dished out 5 assists, while freshman Colin Cordero (Bolton, Conn.) chipped in with 8 points off the bench for the Saints.

The Raiders will travel up to Northfield, Vt. for the 2014 Ed Hockenbury Classic hosted by Norwich University to close out the first half of the season. Rivier will tip-off against Trinity College on Saturday evening. Emmanuel will remain in conference play, as the Saints host Saint Joseph's College of Maine on Thursday evening in a 7:30 PM start.

- Release Courtesy of Rivier University Sports Information