PINE MANOR DROPS MEN'S BASKETBALL IN SEASON-OPENER, 95-78

BOSTON, Mass. – The Emmanuel College men's basketball squad dropped its season-opener to Pine Manor College, 95-78, Tuesday evening at the 2016 Coaches' vs. Cancer Tip Off hosted by Wentworth Institute of Technology. The Saints fall in their season-opener for the fifth consecutive year to fall to 0-1 while the Gators jump out to a 1-0 record.

Emmanuel jumped out to an early 4-2 lead following four straight points by freshman guard Emmett Riddick (Middletown, Conn.). The squads exchanged hoops to make it a 6-4 game in favor of the Saints before the Gators took control on the action, going on a 29-4 run over the next 12 minutes to take a commanding 33-10 lead with 6:34 to play in the stanza.

Pine Manor continued to dominate the first half, extending its lead to 50-15 following a layup by Josh Gause with 3:245 remaining before Emmanuel showed signs of life, outscoring the Gators 11-9 over the final three minutes to make it 59-26 heading into the halftime intermission.

The Gators shot 55% from the field in the half, connecting on seven three pointers while also going a perfect 8-for-8 from the charity stripe while the Saints struggled to get their offense going by shooting just 33.3% from the floor and a disappointing 45.5% from the free throw line (5-for-11).

The second half was a tale of two teams as Emmanuel became the offensive aggressor and outscored Pine Manor 52-36 during the 20 minute period, but the 33 point deficit at the half was too much for EC to overcome.

Rasheed Bell led all scorers with 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the floor to go along with a team-best eight rebounds. PMC guard Taverick Roberson was just behind him with 21 points while also dishing out seven assists and grabbing six rebounds.

The Saints saw four players in double-figures led by 17 points from junior guard Colin Cordero (Bolton, Conn.). Riddick finished with 16 points in his collegiate debut while senior forward Aidan Hadley (Owls Head, Maine) posted a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Sophomore Dan Flaherty (Warwick, R.I.) chipped in with 11 points off the bench, going 4-for-5 from the field.

In the other Coaches' vs. Cancer Tip Off contest, Emerson downed host Wentworth 73-57 to set up the pairings for tomorrow's consolation and championship games. The Saints will square off against the Leopards at 5:30 PM while the Gators and Lions tip at 7:30 PM for the championship.