Men’s Basketball Outlasts Colby Sawyer, 68-52

BOSTON – In front of a standing room only crowd at Larry E. and Michael S. Smith Court, Suffolk men's basketball took down Colby Sawyer, 68-52, Wednesday night to lift the lid on its home schedule in the win column.  

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 68 | Colby Sawyer 52
RECORDS: Suffolk (2-0) | Colby Sawyer (2-2)  

HOW IT HAPPENED
Six different Suffolk players factored into the scoring early as the game was level at 11-all just 7:34 into the contest.  

A freebie by Jake Gomez sparked a 9-0 Rams run that pushed the blue-and-gold in front, 20-11, with just under eight minutes remaining in the first frame. 

Suffolk stretched its advantage to as many as 15, 27-15, with 5:13 to go before halftime.  

The Chargers charged back thanks to an 11-6 spurt to slice the gap down to seven, 33-26, at the 1:34 mark.  Evan Cook went 4-for-4 at the charity stripe down the stretch to send Suffolk into the locker room with a double-digit distance 37-26.  

In the first four minutes of the second stanza, Colby Sawyer chipped Suffolk's lead down to six, 41-35. 

The Rams found themselves in the bonus with 13:24 left in regulation and it paid off for the host. A pair of free throws from Cook ignited Suffolk to a 58-44 cushion with just under eight to play in the second. 

The Chargers attempted a comeback and managed to pull within 11, 60-49, at the 5:08 mark. That's as close as the visitors would get the rest of the way as Suffolk took care of business, outscoring CSC, 8-3 over the final five minutes to seal the victory.  

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Cook contributed 22 points on a 6-for-13 showing from the field and a near perfect performance at the line, 10-for-11. He added one board, one assist and one steal to his stat line. 
• Danny Yardemian added a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double, as well as a pair of dimes and takeaways, respectively. 
• Gomez registered nine caroms, eight points, two handouts and one steal. 
• Keenan Robertson had an all-around outing with nine rebounds, seven points, two assists and two steals. 
• Cole LeVangie logged 11 points, six boards and one steal. 
• Suffolk shot just 36.8 percent (25-68) from the floor and hit just one of its 11 attempts from 3-point land. 
• The Rams used a 63.0 connection rate (17-27) from the line to stay in the game. 
• Suffolk outrebounded Colby Sawyer by a hefty 51-34 margin. 
• Over 65 percent of the Rams offensive output came in the paint (42-62). 
• Suffolk capitalized on its 21 offensive boards turning them into 22 points. 
• The Rams limited their turnovers to eight and caused 10 of the Chargers 15 turnovers. 

NOTEWORTHY

• Suffolk started the season 2-0 for the second straight season. 
• The Rams moved to 5-3 all-time against Colby Sawyer with their fourth consecutive win over the Chargers. 
• The Rams are unbeaten, 4-0, under Jeff Juron's guidance against CSC. 
• At home, Suffolk is now 3-1 against Colby Sawyer. 
• Cook has scored double figures in both games he has appeared in a Suffolk jersey. 
• Cook went to the free throw line a career-high 11 times and made a personal-best 10 freebies. 
• Yardemian compiled his first double-double in a Suffolk jersey. 
• Yardemian grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds and matched a personal-best two takeaways. 
• Liam Cunnie matched a personal-best in blocks (1) and steals (1).  
• Verdile recorded his first collegiate point on a free throw and grabbed a career-high two rebounds. 
• Owen Walters produced a career-high in rebounds (2), assists (1) and steals (1). 
• Cem Uner pulled a personal-best five caroms.  

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk welcomes Tufts to Smith Court Friday, Nov. 17 for a 7:30 p.m. battle.