The Rams had a six-point lead with 5:14 remaining in the game before Emerson senior Ryan Shibley (Coventry, RI) nailed a three-pointer to start a 7-0 run. The offensive outpouring gave Emerson a one-point lead, 55-54, with just over two minutes to play.
Suffolk retaliated with a lay-up by senior captain Chris Emma (Braintree, MA), but it was not enough as the Lions cemented the win with two clutch free throws by Shibley with 11 seconds remaining. Shibley finished the game with seven points and three assists.
The first half consisted of seven lead changes, highlighting the intense battle between the Lions and Rams. Suffolk was able to take a three-point lead into the locker room at the half behind sophomore John Murphy’s (North Reading, MA) strong offensive showing. Murphy had 11 points on 4 of 7 shooting from the field during the first half.
Murphy finished the game with 16 points, playing all 40 minutes. Junior Josh Morelock (Poplar Grove, IL) had a game-high 19 points for the Rams, while pulling down nine rebounds.
Emerson junior Steve Georgoulis (New York, NY) finished the game with 18 points and eight rebounds. The Lions’ 6’7” center Dan Zinchuk (Bethel, ME) had a double double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
Suffolk falls to 5-10 on the season and 3-5 in the GNAC while Emerson improves to 8-5 overall and 6-1 in the GNAC. Suffolk will travel to Western New England College on Saturday to take on the Golden Bears in a GNAC match-up.