Men's Basketball stumbles against Colby-Sawyer

(Nashua, N.H.) The University of Southern Maine defeated Pine Manor College, 101-75, as they captured the 23rd Annual Rivier University Tip-Off Tournament Championship this afternoon inside the Muldoon Gymnasium. The Huskies are now 3-1 on the season while the Gators suffer just their first loss and are now 3-1.

In the consolation game, played prior to the Championship, Colby-Sawyer College earned the 83-67 over Rivier University.

Championship Game: University of Southern Maine 101, Pine Manor College 75

Senior Jose Novchanthavong knocked down eight field goals, including three from beyond the arc, and dished out eight assists as the Huskies brought home the Tournament Championship with a 101-75 triumph over Pine Manor College.

Novchanthavong collected seven rebounds and was named the Tournament's Most Valuable Player.

Also shining bright for Southern Maine was All-Tournament selection, junior Zach Leal (York, Maine) who pumped in 25 points and five assists. Juniors Atencio Martin (Kittery, Maine) – 16 points, and Fred Knight (Hampden, Maine) – 11 points, were the other Huskies to record double-digit points in the contest.

Pine Manor was paced by the All-Tournament selection in sophomore Taverick Roberson (Pittsfield, Mass.) who netted 11 points. Sophomore Jonathan Higgenbotham (Oakland, Calif.) recorded the team high with 14 points in a reserve effort and freshman Rasheed Bell (Boston, Mass.) registered 10 points in the loss. Sophomore Curtis Hyman (New Britain, Conn.) was also named to the All-Tournament Team.

Consolation Game: Colby-Sawyer College 83, Rivier University 67 (Final)

Rivier sophomore Andre Ruff (Chicago, Ill.) scored the game high of 28 points, along with Colby-Sawyer senior Peter Donato (Portland, Maine), but it was not enough as the Chargers escaped the Consolation game with an 83-67 decision. The win improves CSC's overall record to 3-1 while the loss still has the Raiders searching for win #1 on the year as they are 0-3.

Ruff had an outstanding game as he also collected 10 rebounds for a double-double effort while knocking down 4-of-7 from three point land. He was also selected to the All-Tournament Team. Junior Victor Davilla (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico) was the other Raider to reach double figures with 12 points and senior Anthony Simmons (Stamford, Conn.) netted eight in the loss.

Colby-Sawyer senior Wol Majong (Manchester, N.H.) hit a jump shot early in the second half as he reached the 1,000 career point milestone in his 17 point night at the Muldoon. Donato finished the contest shooting 11-for-16 from the floor and sophomore Cam Meservey (Bedford, N.H.) added 17 points of his own the win. Senior Jake Maynard (Shelburne, Vt.) ended his tournament run with seven points and nine rebounds.

2015 Rivier University Tip-Off Tournament – All-Tournament Team

MVP: Senior Jose Novchanthavong (Westbrook, Maine), University of Southern Maine

Junior Zach Leal (York, Maine), University of Southern Maine

Taverick Roberson (Pittsfield, Mass.), Pine Manor College

Sophomore Curtis Hyman (New Britain, Conn.), Pine Manor College

Sophomore Andre Ruff (Chicago, Ill.), Rivier University

Senior Peter Donato (Portland, Maine), Colby-Sawyer College