Beantown Battle Features Men’s Basketball at Emerson Tuesday

BOSTON – Suffolk men's basketball will clash with its Boston Commons' foe Emerson Tuesday, Nov. 21 as the Rams travel across Boston's historical landmark to visit Bobbi Brown & Steven Plofker Gym for a 7:30 p.m. non-conference contest.

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LAST TIME OUT
Salem State went on a second-half surge to come back and take down the Suffolk men's basketball team, 82-74, in the consolation contest of the Williams Tip-Off Tournament Saturday afternoon.

MORE READING: Men's Basketball Slips to Salem State in Consolation of Williams Tip-Off Tournament

RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk opened the 71st season of men's basketball with a victory, but has since fallen in back-to-back contests to sit at 1-2 on the young season. 

The Rams' 76.0 ppg offense is anchored by Thomas Duffy's 23.7 ppg. The sophomore is shooting at 50.0 percent clip from the floor and a 62.5 connection rate from three-point range to anchor Suffolk's scoring. Michael Hagopian joins Duffy with double figures, knocking down 10.0 ppg with Jim Djema and Georgia Grillakis chipping in 9.7 ppg and 9.3 ppg, respectively. 

Defensively, Grillakis and Hagopian each pull down 5.0 rpg to led the Rams' 29.7 rpg effort. Brendan Mulson and Kevin Querusio each pull down 4.7 rpg to add to the effort.

LIONS LOOK
Emerson tipped off 2017-18 with a 99-83 win at Newbury to prep for Tuesday's tilt with Suffolk. 

Geoffrey Gray was one point shy of 30, finishing the season opener with 29, shooting 9-for-15 from the floor and 8-for-10 from the line to go along with 10 caroms. Gray's double-double paced the Lions, while Michael Sheng joined the junior point guard with 20-plus points. Sheng shot 50 percent from the field (7-14) and did not miss from the line (7-7) to put together a 22-point day. Jack O'Connor chipped in 18 points off the bench, while John Geary added 11.

INSIDE THE SERIES
Suffolk and Emerson will meet for the 37th time Tuesday. The Lions command the series, 28-8, and have picked up the last three meetings including a 78-72 decision a year ago. The Rams look for their first win over Emerson under Jeff Juron's guidance and since Jan. 4, 2014.  

EYES ON THE GAME

THREE TIMES 20
Thomas Duffy is the most effective Ram through the first three games of the season since Sam Nwadike strung three consecutive 20-plus point games to lift the lid on the 2014-15 slate. Duffy has one upped Nwadike's fast start however as the sophomore dropped 71 points through three games, shooting 50 percent (23-46) from the field compared to Nwadike's 70 points on a 42.0 percent (21-50) shooting percentage. 

HERO OF THE WEEK
Thomas Duffy of the Suffolk men's basketball team has been nominated for HeroSports.com DIII HERO of the Week after putting up three 20-plus point games to open the 2017-18 season. To vote for Duffy, click here. 

MORE READING: Duffy Nominated DIII HeroSports HERO of the Week

WHAT'S NEXT?
After the Thanksgiving holiday, Suffolk heads to Salve Regina Sunday, Nov. 26. The Rams and Seahawks are scheduled for a 1 p.m. showdown.