Men's Hoop Falls to Rivier

NASHUA, N.H. – Regis College men's basketball dropped an 88-71 decision to Rivier University on Friday evening at the Muldoon Center in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) men's basketball contest.

Regis quickly established a lead, opening with a strong 15-5 run, powered by key three-pointers from Gehrig Brynda (Deerfield, Mass.) and two from Jamir Harvey (Robbins, Ill.). Russell Rau (Westminster, Mass.) capped the run with a layup and 13:38 left in the half. The Raiders were willed back into the game by some key baskets by Cade Odarius who led all scores with 32 points in the contest. Odarius cashed in for two points with 6:53 left in the half to tie things up at 20 a piece. 

Rivier and the Pride went basket for basket for the rest of the first half, but it was graduate senior Joey Merrill's three pointer that gave the Raiders a three point lead and some momentum going into the final frame. 

Rivier pulled away in the second half after leading 38-35. Odarius Cade was dominant, finishing with 32 points, and the Raiders outscored the Pride 50-36 in the second half. Despite a strong push from Rau, and Harvey who finished with a combined 42 points and 17 rebounds, the Pride couldn't close the gap. Brynda hit a three-pointer early in the second half, to cut the deficit to five points, but the Raiders answered with a 14-5 run and extended their lead. 

Rivier's bench was a major factor in the win, contributing 42 points, while Regis' bench managed only 10. Regis (3-2) shot just 37.8% from the field, including 6-of-25 from beyond the arc, while Rivier shot 48.4% overall and 35.7% from three. The Pride struggled at the free-throw line as well, converting only 9-of-19 attempts compared to Rivier's 16-of-25.

Despite the loss, there were eight ties and twelve lead changes with Harvey leading the Pride offensively, and Rau and Tate Pike (Bellingham, Mass.) worked hard on both ends of the floor.

The Pride will look to regroup as they return home to face Elms College in an important conference matchup on Wednesday February 12th with tip off at 5:00 pm.