Men's Hoop Clinches First GNAC Win

WESTON, Mass. -  Regis College used the long distance shot to establish the early lead and then went into the paint to maintain its advantage in the second half as the Pride defeated Emmanuel College, 94-72, Wednesday night in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) men's collegiate basketball game at Higgins Court.

Russell Rau (Westminster, Mass.) hit six three-pointers with four of them in the first half, while contributing nine rebounds, two blocks and two steals, totaling 33 points.

Gehrig Brynda (Deerfield, Mass.) collected 16 points with five rebounds, while Aamyr Sullivan  (Middletown, N.Y.) added 13 points, four rebounds and eight assists.

Regis opened up the contest with an 11-2 scoring run featuring three three-pointers from the Pride. Emmanuel came within ten points at 28-18 after a free throw from Mahari Gurrier would decrease the Saints deficit. Both teams went point for point just before Regis went on a 5-0 run, extending its lead by 16. Despite six consecutive points from Emmanuel with two layups and two free throws, the Saints weren't able to hold on as the Pride extended its lead with two three pointers from Rau, and one from Sullivan, closing the first half with a 48-34 lead.

Emmanuel fought back to bring its deficit back into single digits just before the midway point of the second half. However, a timely three-pointer from Rau followed by a free throw would extend the Pride lead with 11 points. A 10-5 run from the Pride would enhance the lead at 81-57 with Brynda coining three three-pointers. 

Despite the Saint's efforts, Regis continued to press its offense, ultimately finish with a 94-72 final.

Damani Williams led the Saints with 17 points, while Cameron Snowden and Noah Beaudet collected 10 points apiece.

Regis (6-12, 1-6 GNAC) is scheduled to host Lasell University on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 3:00 p.m. while Emmanuel (2-16, 1-6 GNAC) will host Dean College on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 1:00 p.m.