Men's Basketball Falls Short in Tough Conference Battle Against Raiders

NASHUA, N.H. - The Elms College Men's Basketball traveled to Rivier University in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) matchup Tuesday evening.

BASICS
Score: Elms College 67 | Rivier University 85
Records: Blazers 1-12, 1-1 (GNAC) | Raiders 9-4, 2-0 (GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

The game would begin with strong defensive showings by both teams, not allowing the other team to score until two minutes into the game when, after recording a block on the first shot of the conference matchup, graduate student forward Neilon Bridgeman (Brooklyn, N.Y.) would make one of his two free throw attempts for the first basket of the game. Rivier would respond quickly with a three-point shot to take the lead, but following a steal by junior guard Aden Goffe (New Haven, Conn.), sophomore guard Andrew Ciaglo (Hadley, Mass.) would draw a foul and successfully make both free throw attempts to tie the game 3-3. The Raiders would score a layup on the next possession to take the lead, but the Blazers offense would steal the lead from their conference foe, when Goffe would connect with an open senior guard/forward Aaron Sanchez (the Bronx, N.Y.) for a three-point shot. Shortly after, Goffe would create a steal and breakaway from the Rivier defenders and make a layup, to help Elms maintain their early lead, but the Raiders would quickly change the narrative, by capitalizing on fouls and finding opportunities to score, making the score 12-8. The Blazers offense would try their best to trim down the lead, after a layup by junior forward RJ Mayfield (Springfield, Mass.) and a jump shot from senior forward/center Addison Phifer (Hadley, Mass.), but the Rivier offense would continue to add to their lead. As their opposition continued to add to their growing lead, Elms would continue their efforts to compete in the contest, after a three-pointer by Bridgeman, followed by a breakaway steal from Goffe where he would find an open senior guard Kishaun Cole (Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.) for a layup, along with a second block from Bridgeman. As the clock began to wind down to the final minutes of the opening half, Mayfield would make a three-point play, after drawing a foul during his made jump shot, and a three-point shot on back-to-back possessions, followed by tip-ins from junior forward Adam Sarlan (Chicopee, Mass.) nd Bridgeman, a three-pointer and a steal by junior center/guard/forward Edgardo Jacob Cancel (Northampton, Mass.), assisted by Ciaglo, a pair of free throws from Cole, and a final steal from Goffe as the clock went off. But unfortunately, the Raiders would maintain their lead going into the halftime break with a 39-32 over the Blazers.

The second half would once again see the Elms offense score first after a successful free throw attempt by Sanchez and a jump shot from Ciaglo, but Rivier would regain the momentum they created in the first half, scoring an additional five points to their lead. Bridgeman and Goffe would answer quickly; making a tip-in, a layup, and a jump shot, but their opponents would continue their path, and extend their lead to 10-points. The Blazers offense would see tip-ins by Mayfield and Sanchez, along with a three-point shot from Sanchez and a layup by Cole, but the Raiders would once again find their way to the basket and extend their lead. Even with the strong offense by their opposition, the Elms offense would continue their efforts to score; including a tip-in by Bridgeman, multiple jump shots from Cole and Mayfield, layups by Cancel, Mayfield, Cole,and Sanchez, including a three-point play from Mayfield, but unfortunately the clock would expire, with Rivier defeating Elms 85-67.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Mayfield - 17 points and four rebounds.

• Sanchez - 11 points, three rebounds, and an assist.

• Bridgeman - 10 points, six rebounds, and two blocks.

• Cole - 10 points, a rebound, and an assist.

• Goffe - six points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and four steals.

• Cancel - five points, two rebounds, an assist, and a steal.

• Ciaglo - four points, four rebounds, two assists, and a steal.

• Sarlan - two points and five rebounds.

• Phifer - two points and two rebounds.

UP NEXT: The Elms College Men's Basketball team will travel to Franklin, Mass. to take on Dean College in a conference matchup on Saturday, January 7th at 1 pm.

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