Men's Basketball: Raiders overcome deficit; top Colby-Sawyer 91-87

Story written and posted by Anthony Perry, Rivier University Sports Information Director

NASHUA, N.H. – The Rivier University Men's Basketball team rallied back from an early 13-point deficit to defeat visiting Colby-Sawyer College, 91-87 in a thrilling Great Northeast Athletic Conference contest inside the packed Muldoon Gymnasium. The win lifts the Raiders to 4-17 overall on the season and it also gives them their first conference win to improve to 1-7 against the tough GNAC. The Chargers fall to 10-12 overall and even out their conference record at 4-4.

Rivier trailed by as much as 13 points in the first half and 10 points in the second half as they took their first lead of the contest just outside of 15 minutes left to play. Colby-Sawyer was able to regain the lead and stretch it to seven points with 12 minutes remaining but the resilient Raiders battled and grinded their way back and a three-pointer by senior Issaiah Chappell (Sunapee, N.H.) with 1:52 to play gave Rivier the lead for good, while also sinking a pair of late free-throws for the win.

Chappell finished the night with 27 points scored and five assists. He is now just 16 points away from reaching 1,000 career points in a Rivier uniform. Sophomore Pharaoh Davis (Plainville, Mass.) added 16 points and seven assists while junior Patrick Myers (Wolfeboro Falls, N.H.) recorded career-highs with 15 points and 6-of-10 shooting from the floor. Also finishing in double-figures were freshman Kevin Redler (Ellington, Conn.), who connected on four key three-point attempts to end his night with 14 points, and junior Jack McCarthy (Rowley, Mass.) who registered 11 points on the night.

Colby-Sawyer was guided by the near triple-double effort from senior Dana Bean (Franklin, N.H.). The veteran center wrapped up his final trip to the Muldoon with 25 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. Sophomore Terrence Harvey Jr. (Smyrna, Ga.) added 14 points on the night and freshman Jake Lorman (Rutland, Vt.) chipped in with 12 points. Freshman Kyle Landrigan (Madbury, N.H.) shined bright off the bench as he finished with 10 points, including a perfect 8-for-8 from the line.

Both teams will remain in conference action when they return to the floor on Saturday afternoon. Rivier will travel to Providence, R.I. for a 3pm affair with Johnson & Wales University while Colby-Sawyer hosts Suffolk University, also with a 3pm tip-off.