Box Score NASHUA, N.H. – Saint Joseph's College (6-6, 4-2 GNAC) defeated Rivier University (3-10, 2-4 GNAC), 71-49, in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) men's basketball contest on Wednesday evening. Senior guard Steve Simonds (Steep Falls, Maine) led the Monks with 20 points and seven rebounds in the convincing victory.
Led by Simonds, who netted 16 first-half points off a 4-6 three-point shooting effort, Saint Joseph's held a 41-32 advantage at intermission after posting a collective 60.9% (14-23) field goal percentage in the opening frame. The Monks opened the second stanza with an 18-3 run and owned a 59-35 cushion after Simonds finished the outburst with a layup and 8:22 remaining.
Saint Joseph's led by at least 22 points for the rest of the evening, as the Raiders made just four field goals and shot 20% (4-20) from the floor – including an 0-8 performance from three-point distance – while scoring only 17 points in the second half.
The Monks held a game-high 28-point lead after junior guard Craig Luschenat (Boston, Mass.) drained a three-pointer with 5:20 remaining in the second period.
For Saint Joseph's, freshman forward Quinn Richardson-Newton (Saco, Maine) netted 16 points while shooting 5-6 from the floor and 6-7 from the free throw line, junior guard Jake Downing (Simsbury, Conn.) came off the bench to score 14 points in 19 minutes, and senior forward Zach Blodgett (Glenburn, Maine) added seven points and three rebounds.
Rivier freshman guard Andre Ruff (Lowell, Mass.) led all scorers with 27 points while shooting 5-9 from three-point land and 8-8 from the charity stripe.
With the victory, Saint Joseph's improves to 13-3 in the history of the series with Rivier University. The Raiders' point total counts as the fewest scored by either team in the 16-game matchup.
Both teams resume GNAC play this Saturday afternoon, when Saint Joseph's hosts Anna Maria College at 3:00 PM and Rivier travels to Suffolk University for a 1:00 PM tip-off.
Follow Saint Joseph's Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram!
Saint Joseph's College is Maine's only Catholic liberal arts college, providing a supportive, personalized and career-focused education for more than 100 years. From its 430-acre campus on the shores of Sebago Lake, the College offers more than 40 undergraduate programs to a population of approximately 1,000 students. Saint Joseph's College Online provides certificates, undergraduate and advanced degrees for working adults through an online learning program. For more, visit www.sjcme.edu.
