Men’s Basketball Blazes Past MCLA in Opener, 88-65

Highlights: Rivier Men's Basketball vs. Mass. Liberal Arts

NASHUA, N.H. – Six Raiders finished with double-digit point totals as the Rivier men's basketball team downed Mass. Liberal Arts in its season opener on Saturday afternoon at the Muldoon Center, 88-65.

The Raiders improved to 1-0 for the second consecutive season under head coach Tom Glynn as the Trailblazers dropped to 0-1 to begin their campaign.

Rivier led by 32 at the end of the first half as junior guard Matt Constant shot 5-of-7 (71.4%) to lead all scorers with 13. Senior guard Odarius Cade and graduate guard Kyler Bosse each followed closely behind with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Graduate guards Joey Merrill and Ra'Quan Groves each registered two steals in the opening frame while Merrill hauled in seven boards.

The Raiders' advantage would dip to 20 with 10:55 remaining in the second half on a JBluestein three-pointer. Rivier increased its lead back to 27 soon thereafter using a 9-2 run over the next 1:17 and used the cushion to coast to victory.

Cade led all Raiders with 18 points on 50% shooting as well as four rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Constant also notched four rebounds as he scored 16 points on 50% shooting in his Rivier debut. Sophomore Robenson Baguidy scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half on 6-of-8 shooting from the field. In other Riv debuts, Merrill recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 boards as Bosse tacked on 13 points. In 18 minutes of action off the bench, Groves tallied 11 points on 4-of-5 (80%) shooting as he splashed both three-point attempts.

The Raiders will remain at home for another non-conference showdown, this time against Hartford, on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Muldoon Center.