Suffolk Drops Playoff Opener

Box Score

BOSTON, MASS. — Second seeded Emerson College placed four players in double figures and held number seven seed Suffolk University to 28% shooting from the field to advance to the semi-finals of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Championship Tournament with a 74-45 win in Emerson’s Brown-Plofker Gym.

The Lions were led by Lauren Zaniboni’s (So., San Diego, Calif.) 17 points. Kathy Andrade (So., Hull, Mass.) added a dozen while Bri Papa (Sr., Camillus, N.Y.), and Maude Okrah (Sr., Rutland, Mass.) each had 11.

Emerson held a 21-14 lead with just over nine minutes remaining in the first half. The Lions outscored the Rams 21-8 to end the half with a 42-22 advantage. Solid defense was the key for Emerson as the team outscored Suffolk 15-0 in points off turnovers, and held a 14-2 edge in bench scoring.

Emerson ran the second half lead to 32 points on a basket by Laura Chenier (Jr., Holyoke, Mass.) with 2:00 remaining. The Lions’ domination in bench scoring and points off turnovers continued in the second half as Emerson had a 13-5 advantage off turnovers and 13-8 advantage in bench scoring. Suffolk had 10 more turnovers than the Lions.

Meghan Tracy (Sr., Rehoboth, Mass.) was the only Ram player in double figures with a double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds.

Suffolk ends the season with a 14-12 record. Emerson (19-7) advances to the Conference semifinals on Friday evening at Emmanuel College. The Lions will play third seeded Norwich University at a time to be determined and will be in search of the first 20 win season in the history of the program.

(Story courtesy of Emerson Sports Information Dept.)