Athletics

Men's Basketball Suffers One-Point Loss

The Suffolk University men’s basketball team suffered a heartbreaking 64-63 loss to visiting Eastern Nazarene Saturday at Regan Gymnasium.

The Rams trailed through much of the second half after taking a 34-32 lead at the break. DeAngelo Alston hit two big free throws for Eastern Nazarene with six seconds remaining to give his team a 64-61 lead. Alston led his team with 21 points and four assists on six for 10 shooting and a four for six performance from the three-point line.

The Crusaders pressured on the ensuing inbound play, but Suffolk’s Mario Massimino (East Haven, CT) was able to draw a three-shot foul on a last second prayer from half-court on Eastern Nazarene’s Jimmy Gray.

Massimino sent home the first free throw to make it a 64-62 game, but back rimmed his second attempt to give the Crusaders the victory. Massimino nailed the third free throw to finish with seven points.

Suffolk led 61-60 with 27 seconds left in the game after a three-pointer from Mike Gibbons (Ringwood, NJ) and a layup from Brian Small (Stoughton, MA) helped overcome a 60-56 deficit with 1:41 remaining. Small led both teams scoring and rebounding with 23 points and 10 rebounds on nine for 18 shooting. Gibbons finished with six points. Alston followed up the mini 5-0 run with a jumper from the top of the key with 15 seconds left to give his squad a 62-61 lead.

Allan Ray contributed with 15 points and five rebounds in the loss. Luke Barrett (Cincinnati, OH) finished with eight points and three assists.

Alex Carr scored 11 points and Gray finished with 10 for the Crusaders.

Suffolk looks for its first win of the young season when it travels to Newport, RI on Tuesday to take on Salve Regina in an 8 p.m. start.