SMITH SCORES CAREER-HIGH AS SAINTS ADVANCE TO SEMIFINALS
Feb. 26, 2008
Boston, MA, - The Emmanuel College Men's Basketball Team downed visiting Rivier College, 81-56, in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) quarterfinal action on Tuesday night. The Saints were paced by the play of senior forward Levi Smith (Tulsa, OK), who scored a career-high 27 points in 28 minutes of play. Smith hit 10 of 16 from the floor and 7 of 9 from the line, while blocking 3 shots in the win.
Tonight's three-six quarterfinal match-up featured eleven lead changes and six ties before Emmanuel came away with the win. The Saints entered halftime with a two-point advantage (30-28).
The Saints' defense disrupted Rivier's offense, causing the Raiders to shoot just 36% from the floor (16-44), while also forcing 23 Raider turnovers. The Saints took care of the ball, turning it over just five times in the game. Rivier out-rebounded Emmanuel, 42-32.
Smith's 27 points led a quartet of double figure scorers for the Saints. Junior guard Rob Williams-Hinton (Oak Park, MI) hit for 18 points and grabbed 5 boards, while junior Mack Spellman (Clinton, NY) netted 17 points, including hitting two of three shots from beyond the arc. Sophomore point guard Mike Jackson (New York, NY) provided the Saints with a spark off the bench, chipping in with 10 points in the win.
Rivier was led by the strong play of senior forward Jeff Carpenter (Meredith, NH). Carpenter scored 20 points and hauled in a game-high 11 rebounds, while dishing out 5 assists for the Raiders. Senior forward Danny Ford (Exeter, NH) added 15 points and 7 rebounds in the effort.
With tonight's win, Emmanuel improved to 17-9 overall, while Rivier fell to 13-13 on the season. The Saints will now advance to the GNAC semifinals on Thursday night (2/28). Emmanuel will travel to Auburndale, MA to take on the 2nd-seeded Lasers of Lasell College at 7pm.