BIG FIRST HALF LIFTS MEN'S HOOPS PAST NORWICH, 87-69

NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Emmanuel College men's basketball team used a strong first half to post an 87-69 road victory over Norwich University on Wednesday evening in Great Northeast Athletic Conference action. With the win, the Saints improve to 13-4 overall and 4-0 in GNAC play while the loss dips the Cadets to 6-12 overall and 0-5 in the GNAC.

The Saints put forth a dominating offensive effort in the first half, shooting 59.4% from the field and closing the half on a 13-3 run to take a commanding 50-26 lead into the intermission. Norwich put forth a better effort in the second stanza, outscoring the Saints by a 43-37 margin, but it wasn't nearly enough as the Saints cruised to their fourth straight GNAC victory and their fifth game overall. 

EC junior guard Emmett Riddick (Middletown, Conn.) led all scorers with 22 points while senior forward Isaiah Ruffen (Haverhill, Mass.) posted a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Also in double-figures for Emmanuel was sophomore Zachary Crisafulli (East Hampton, Mass.) with 14 points.

Caleb Casinas (Aiea, Hawaii) had his best shooting night of the season, going 5-5 from three-point territory on his way to 15 points along with a pair of steals and assists. Kyle Booth (Northfield, Vt.) led the team with 16 points, while Jesse Davis(Woodinville, Wash.) had 12 points. 

The 4-0 start in GNAC play marks the first time in program history that the Saints have opened conference play undefeated through four games. 

Both squads return to Boston over the weekend as Norwich hits the road on Saturday in search of its first conference victory, this time at Suffolk University in a game set to tip at 2:00 PM. Emmanuel plays host to Albertus Magnus College at 1:00 PM on the Andy Yosinoff Court.

*Release courtesy of Norwich University Athletic Communications