SUFFOLK MEN’S BASKETBALL
Monday, January 21, 2008
Harborside Complex, Providence, R.I.

FINAL: JOHNSON & WALES 90, SUFFOLK 74

PROVIDENCE, R.I.-- Senior Japhet Kerr (Mt. Kisco, N.Y.) scored 34 points to lead three players in double figures as Johnson & Wales shot 55 percent from the field en route to a 90-74 Great Northeast Athletic Conference men’s basketball victory over Suffolk Monday evening at the Harborside Athletic Complex.

The host Wildcats (9-5, 6-2 Great Northeast) opened up a six-point first half advantage only to see the visiting Rams (2-13, 1-7 Great Northeast) take a 41-37 advantage at the break. The two teams traded the lead nine times and forge eight ties in the first 11 minutes following intermission, the last coming at 66-66 with 8:57 to play, but Johnson & Wales outscored Suffolk by a 24-8 margin over that time span, as Kerr scored nine points during that closing run for the hosts.

Senior Tirone McCray (Brockton, Mass.) added a double-double effort of 22 points and 15 rebounds in the win for the Wildcats, who also received 13 points and four assists from sophomore Darren Faust (Queens, N.Y.). Senior Cornejo Rodgers (Anguilla, West Indies) chipped in with 10 rebounds for Johnson & Wales, which also received nine points and seven boards from senior Greg Samuels (Philadelphia, Pa.) as the hosts shot 60 percent in the second half while holding a 50-27 rebounding advantage for the contest.

Sophomore Alan Jaziri (Norwich, Conn.) led three players in double figures with 19 points, three rebounds and three steals in the setback for Suffolk, which also received 18 points and seven rebounds from junior Brian Small (Stoughton, Mass.). Freshman Allan Ray (Lynn, Mass.) chipped in with 13 points for the Rams, who also received eight points, eight rebounds and five assists from sophomore Joseph Ransom (Sheffield, England) as well as eight points from freshman Samuel Alexanian (Nashua, N.H.). The visitors shot 41 percent from the floor and canned seven three-pointers while holding a 15-12 scoring edge at the foul line.

Suffolk hosts Emerson in a Great Northeast match-up on Thursday evening at Regan Gymnasium beginning at 7:30 p.m., while Johnson & Wales hosts Mount Ida in a Great Northeast contest on Thursday evening at the Harborside Complex beginning at 7:00 p.m.