Men's Basketball scratched by AMCATS, 78-63

(Nashua, N.H) The Rivier Men's Basketball team fell to the visiting Anna Maria College Amcats this evening at the Muldoon Gymnasium by the score of 78-63. With the loss, the Raiders drop to 3-13 (2-7 GNAC) on the year. With the win, the Amcats improve to 9-7 (7-2 GNAC).

The Raiders played tough in the first half. They established an aggressive style of play by driving the ball, pushing the pace, and forcing Anna Maria to rush shots and hurry their possessions. The Amcats however, fought the Raiders back with some aggressive play of their own, forcing Rivier to commit 10 first half fouls, resulting in 8 points from the line for the Amcats. The Raiders went into halftime trailing by the score of 41-35.

Edward Soucie (South Rygate, V.T.) played well for the Raiders in the first half, scoring 8 points, including two key 3-point shots, while also grabbing 2 rebounds. Kywane Thomas (Hartford, Conn.) also played well, scoring 7 points on 3-3 shooting.

The Amcats also had big contributions from Patrick Brandanese (Billerica, Mass.) who scored 12 points, Tyler Delorey (Worcester, Mass.) who scored 9 points, tallied 3 assists, and 3 rebounds, while Quantez Franklin (South Yarmouth, Mass.) also added 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists for Anna Maria.

The second half proved to be the downfall for the Raiders. Anna Maria's accurate shooting and pace of play is what led the Amcats to victory. Only a 6 point game at the half, Anna Maria ran away with the game in the second, never allowing the Raiders to find a rhythm, stopping everything they had to throw at them.

Senior guard Jake Nelson (Nashua, N.H.) led the Raiders attack in the second half, scoring a team high 12 points, while also tallying 5 assists. Sophomore Matthew Manning (Peabody, Mass.) played well coming off of the bench for the Raiders, scoring 8 points.

Patrick Brandanese (Billerica, Mass.) continued his excellent play for the Amcats in the second half, finishing with a game high 22 points. Tyler Delorey (Worcester, Mass.) and Youssef Fodaile (Worcester, Mass.) each scored double figures for the Amcats (13 Delorey, 11 Fodaile)

For their next contest, the Rivier Men's Basketball team will host the Mount Ida College Mustangs, Saturday, January 24^th, at 1:00pm in a GNAC conference game. As for the Anna Maria College Amcats, they will also play host to a GNAC matchup, as the Emmanuel College Saints look to upend the Amcats at home. This game is scheduled for Saturday, January 24^th at 1:00pm.