Amcats nip the Raiders by three on Senior Day

(Nashua, NH) The Rivier University Men's Basketball team dropped a tough 50-47 decision this afternoon to visiting Anna Maria College on Senior Day at the Muldoon Gymnasium.

Junior Tom Poitras (Bow, NH) led the Raiders with 13 points while senior Brian Troy (Keene, NH) added 11 as Rivier saw their season record fall to 10-13 overall and 6-10 in the GNAC. Senior Garon Whitney (Dover, NH) contributed 8 points and 5 rebounds and junior Nick Walch (Dedham, MA) recorded 10 points off the bench.

The Raiders earned a 5 point halftime advantage behind the strong performances from Troy, Walch and Poitras. The trio combined to shoot 75% from the field and record 19 of the team's 27 first half points. Senior Mike Polley (Nashua, NH) pulled down 5 rebounds. The first half was won on the floor as Rivier held a 54.2% to 32% shooting percentage.

In the second half, Anna Maria was able to overcome the deficit as they shot at 40% while the Raiders stumbled to a 30.4% from the floor. The game came down to the final possession as Rivier, down by three, had the ball with 27 seconds left and could not get the last shot to fall.

The Amcats, who improved to a GNAC best 14-2 and a 16-7 overall mark, were led by senior Anthony Click (Springfield, MA) who pumped in 18 points to lead all scorers. Brad Peterson added 9 points and 4 rebounds while shooting a perfect 5-for-5 from the line. Click also did not miss a shot from the charity stripe (6-for-6) and recorded 8 rebounds in the win.

Prior to the game, Rivier honored the four seniors – Troy, Polley, Whitney and Chris Foley (Oakham, MA) – for their overall contributions to the Men's Basketball program during the past four seasons.

Rivier will finish the 2012-13 regular season with a pair of road contests beginning with a 7pm tip-off at Emerson College on Tuesday evening. Anna Maria will also be in action on Tuesday evening as they host Emmanuel College. Game time is set for 7:30pm.