EMMANUEL EDGES COLBY-SAWYER, 84-81

NEW LONDON, N.H. – February 9, 2019 – Emmanuel senior Joe Tamburro (South Windsor, Conn.) scored 37 points to lead the Saints to an 84-81 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) at Colby-Sawyer on Saturday afternoon.

Prior to the game, Colby-Sawyer senior Jourdain Bell (Manchester, N.H.) was honored for his four years of contributions to the men's basketball program.

Emmanuel improves to 16-6 overall and 7-2 in the GNAC. The Saints will host Anna Maria on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Colby-Sawyer dips to 12-11 overall and 6-4 in conference play. The Chargers will play at Norwich on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Tamburro was 11-of-20 from the floor, 6-of-12 from beyond the arc and 9-of-9 from the free throw line. Junior Emmett Riddick (Middletown, Conn.) contributed 15 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals. Sophomore Marcus Fox (Danbury, Conn.) notched a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds, while senior Isaiah Ruffen (Haverhill, Mass.) added 12 points.

Colby-Sawyer was led by junior Patrick Coffey's (Westford, Mass.) 22 points. Junior Dana Bean (Franklin, N.H.) finished with 17 points and seven rebounds. Bell registered 13 points and a steal to move into a tie for second all-time with Collin Bray '06, who was in attendance, with 203 steals. Bean moved into seventh in career rebounding with 660. Sophomore Jake Carrier (Manchester, N.H.) added 11 points, while KJ Synvrit (Miami, Fla.) was 5-of-6 for 10 points.

The Saints began the game with a 13-8 advantage after a conventional three-point play by Fox. Colby-Sawyer responded with a 16-4 run to take its biggest lead of the contest at 24-17. The visitors were able to regain the advantage a couple of minutes later with another Fox layup. Jourdain Bell hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 30-30 with 5:16 left in the half. The action went back-and-forth for the final stretch, but a Jake Carrier bucket with 29 seconds left gave Colby-Sawyer a 42-41 lead at the half. 

Tamburro put the Saints back in front with a basket to open the second half. Four minutes later, Colby-Sawyer went in front by five with a Bell layup, 52-47. Emmanuel came back once again to take a 60-58 lead after a Ruffen trey with less than 12 minutes to play. Tamburro broke a 62-62 tie with another three-pointer and the Saints never looked back. The Chargers kept the contest within seven the rest of the way, but could not break through as Emmanuel held on for the 84-81 victory.

Emmanuel finished 20-of-22 from the free throw line, while Colby-Sawyer made 9-of-10. The Saints outrebounded Colby-Sawyer 46-30.

The Saints return to action on Wednesday, February 13 when they play host to Anna Maria College at 7:00 PM.

*Release courtesy of Colby-Sawyer College Athletic Communications