PROVIDENCE, RI – Johnson & Wales University (12-4, 8-1 GNAC) claimed the team's 11th-consecutive victory with a 71-61 result over Saint Joseph's College (7-8, 6-2 GNAC) in GNAC men's basketball action on Monday afternoon.

Senior guard Matthew Medeiros (Westport, Mass.) paced a trio of Saint Joseph's double-digit scorers with 21 points while junior Steve Simonds (Steep Falls, Maine) netted 15 and senior forward Nicholas Jobin (Westbrook, Maine) posted a double-double with 212 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.

Johnson & Wales was led by senior Esaie Touze (Providence, R.I.) who tallied a double-double with 20 points and a game-high 16 rebounds.  Sophomore Quarry Greenaway (Westchester, N.Y.) led all scorers with 21 points and six rebounds while sophomore Robert Lewis (Providence, R.I.) was also in double-figures with 12 points and seven rebounds, five assists and four steals in the victory for the Wildcats.

JWU controlled the action early and took a commanding 27-13 lead on an emphatic dunk with 8:21 left in the first half.  The Wildcats continued to carry the play throughout the stanza and took the 40-29 lead heading into the locker room at halftime.  JWU shot 51.6% (16-of-31) from the field in the half while holding the Monks to 40.7% (11-of-27) shooting.

Saint Joseph's chipped away at the lead throughout the early stages of the second half and made the score 56-51 on a layup by Jobin with 9:48 left in regulation.  That would be as close as the Monks would get, however as the Wildcats pushed the lead back to 12 (68-56) late in the contest before holding on for the 71-61 victory.

Saint Joseph's will host GNAC-rival Lasell College at 7:00 PM on Thursday while Johnson & Wales returns to action on Saturday with a conference contest at Rivier University (3:00 PM).

COURTESY OF JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION