PAXTON, Mass. – The Anna Maria College men's basketball team dropped to the visiting Saints of Emmanuel College 71-66 in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) battle on Wednesday night. The loss drops the AMCATS to 3-15 overall and 3-8 in conference play. The Saints rise to 4-14 and 3-8 in the GNAC.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Freshman Mike Rapoza (Charlton, Mass.) posted his 13th double-double of the season, leading the AMCATS with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Senior Guard, David Jean- Louis (Miramar, Fla.) added 16 points and 6 rebounds while junior Liam Pickett (Oxford, Mass.) came off the bench to help boost the AMCATS with 11 points and two assists.

Saints Joe Tamburro led all scorers with a game high 23 points to go along with a game high 4 steals. Aidan Hadley added 14 points and Emmett Riddick rounded out double-digit scoring for Emmanuel with 13 points.

Emmanuel held a 15-17 edge over Anna Maria in turnovers, a 27-9 edge in points off turnovers and tied 34-34 in points in the paint. The Saints dominated on the board collecting 38 total rebounds as well as recording 9 second chance points. Emmanuel finished the night shooting above 40 percent in field goal percentage and free-throw percentage with 60 percent. The AMCATS shot 45.5 percent from the field and 66.7 percent from the free-throw line.

HOW IT HAPPENED

During the first half, Emmanuel traded leads with the hosts until a jump shot from Colin Cordero gave the Emmanuel back the lead in the game, 25-24. Cordero hit the free throw to complete the three-point play which made the score 26-24. Following the three points by from Cordero, Emmanuel went on a 3-0 run to extend its lead to 29-14, with 6:20 left in the first. A three-pointer from Liam Pickett brought the hosts to within two, 29-27, but Emmanuel was able to hold Anna Maria to a 35-34 lead at the half.

The AMCATS continued to trade leads back and forth with Emmanuel in the second half until Cordero made a lay-up to give Emmanuel the lead 66-64. From then on the Saints did not look back and went on a 7-0 run. Anna Maria was not able to answer back at the end of the game with the Saints taking the final victory, 71-66. 

WHAT'S NEXT? 

The AMCATS will travel to Suffolk University on Saturday, Jan. 28 for a 3:15 p.m. GNAC contest. The Saints return to action on the same day against Rivier University.

*Release courtesy of Anna Maria Sports Information