Suffolk led by as many as 13 points in the second half, but saw its lead dwindle to one with 18 seconds remaining in the game. The Rivier Raiders went on a 7-0 run late in the game to bring the score to 78-76 with 30 seconds remaining.
Freshman Chris Giordano (Medford, MA) scored four of the Raiders’ seven points, in the run including a three-pointer. Giordano finished the game with nine points on 2-of-5 three-point shooting.
Suffolk senior Eric Jenkins (Bristol, CT) was quickly fouled and netted one of two free throw shots give Suffolk a three-point lead, 79-76, with 29 seconds remaining. Raiders junior Jeffrey Miller (Nashua, NH) converted on a lay-up to cut the Rams lead to one with 18 seconds remaining.
Clutch free throw shooting sealed the win for the Rams, as junior Chris Emma (Braintree, MA) and senior Chris Fritch (Torrington, CT) each netted two shots in the final seconds of the game to give the Rams a five point win.
The Rams dominated the first half, leading the Raiders by 12 points at the half. Fritch led all first half scorers with 19 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field, a career high for one half. Fritch finished the game with a career high 28 points.
Suffolk junior Scott Meier (Chelmsford, MA) scored 16 points in the game, including nine points on 3-of-7 three-point shooting. Senior Marc Borghesi(Torrington, CT) grabbed 11 rebounds, including 9 offensive, for the Rams.
Suffolk moves to 13-12 overall and 11-7 in the GNAC. Rivier is 9-15 overall and 5-13 in the GNAC. Suffolk will host Emerson College on Tuesday at Regan Gymnasium at 7:30 p.m. in the first-round of the GNAC
playoffs.