Jones’ Double-Double Leads Men’s Basketball Past Nichols, 73-65

BOSTON – James Jones' 13 point-14 rebound double-double powered Suffolk men's basketball to a 73-65 Conference of New England (CNE) victory over Nichols on Tuesday night at Larry E. and Michael S. Smith Court. Jones was one of five Rams in double figures in a well-balanced offensive output for the blue-and-gold. 

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 73| Nichols 65
RECORDS: Suffolk (10-7, 6-2 CNE) | Nichols (10-8, 5-4 CNE)  

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Suffolk stormed out of the gate, scoring the game's first nine points behind three different Rams to force a Nichols timeout at the 16:36 mark.
• After Nichols cut the margin to 13-8, Suffolk responded with a 10-0 run fueled by three-pointers from Jordan Morganstein and Harrison Neil to open a 23-8 advantage with 11:18 remaining in the half.
• The Bison closed the first frame on a 21-13 stretch, trimming Suffolk's advantage to 36-29 at the break.
• Suffolk quickly rebuilt its cushion, opening the second half with a 9-2 burst to take a 45-31 lead. Following some back-and-forth scoring, Declan Davis buried a three at the 11:12 mark to push the Rams ahead 53-40 and force another Nichols timeout.
• The Bison kept battling, but the Rams stayed hot from deep as Nick Verdile, Neil, and Hatcher Nordquistknocked down consecutive triples to stretch the distance to 66-52 with 5:37 left.
• The Bison made a late push, using an 8-0 run to close within five at 70-65 with 1:13 remaining, but free throws from Nordquist and Davis sealed the 73-65 victory for the Rams.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKIN

• Jones recorded a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds to pair with three assists.
• Nordquist also tallied 13 points to go with nine rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
• Greg Keane was an efficient 5-of-6 from the floor, good for 12 points and six rebounds.
• Neil produced 12 points and five rebounds, while Verdile rounded out the double-digit scoring with 11 points of his own.
• Suffolk held Nichols to 31.4 percent shooting and to just 13.8 percent from the three-point line.
• The Rams held a 37-26 advantage on the glass.
• The blue-and-gold held a slight edge in second chance points, 17-13.

NOTEWORTHY 

• Suffolk now leads the all-time series against Nichols, 39-20.
• The Rams moved to 23-10 at home in the all-time series.
• Under head coach Jeff Juron, Suffolk is now 4-7 in the series.
• Jones recorded his third career double-double.
• Nordquist pulled down a career-high nine rebounds.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk remains at home on Saturday, Jan. 24, hosting Gordon at 3:00 p.m.