SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Despite seven ties and three lead changes, Regis College ultimately fell 73-57, to Amherst College, in the second day of the Naismith Classic hosted by Springfield College.
Both teams went point for point at the start of the contest featuring three-pointers from Gehrig Brynda (Deerfield, Mass.), Russell Rau (Westminster, Mass.), Aamyr Sullivan (Middletown, N.Y.) and Ned Fitzpatrick (Providence, R.I.). After a three-pointer from Fitzpatrick brought the Pride at an even 16 points with the Mammoths, Drew Martin shot two consecutive free-throws to take the lead for Amherst. A free-throw from Marcus Watts Jr. (Stamford, Conn.) brought Regis back within a point of Amherst, however, the Mammoths made four additional baskets, capped by a three-pointer to increase their lead to 26.
Jamir Harvey (Robbins, Ill.) sent a pass to Sullivan, collecting another three-points for the Pride. Harvey continued to apply pressure to then score a layup, bringing Regis within four points at 26-22. After a layup from Regis and jump-shot from Amherst, Sullivan coined an additional three-points to close the deficit by three at 28-25. Amherst finished the first half leading 32-25.
Amherst opened the second half with a 7-2 scoring run to lead with 19 points. The Pride responded with a 4-0 scoring run, however a three-pointer from Noah Helmke would bring the run to a halt. Regis continued to extend its offensive output but was unable to block Helmke from making three-pointers to increase the Mammoths lead.
Despite three-pointers from Dan Grasso (Norwood, Mass.) and Tate Pike (Bellingham, Mass.), the Pride were unable to make a comeback to defeat the Mammoths, resulting in a 73-57 final.
Harvey led the Pride with 13 points, eight rebounds and two assists while shooting 4-for-8 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free throw line. Sullivan collected 11 points while shooting 3-for-6 at the three-point arch.
Overall, Regis shot 6-for-8 at 75 percent from the free throw line and 13-for-35 at the three-point arch.
Regis (5-6) is set to host Dean College on Saturday, Jan. 4, for the start of conference play beginning at 3:00 p.m. on Higgins Court.