Men's Hoop Defeats JWU 73-69

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Regis maintained its offensive momentum to secure a 73-69 victory over Johnson and Wales University in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) men's basketball matchup Saturday afternoon at the Wildcat Center.

Both teams opened with a three-pointer before Regis built a 9-3 lead. Johnson & Wales responded with two free throws and a three-pointer to cut the deficit to one, but Gehrig Brynda (Deerfield, Mass.) answered with a three-pointer to extend the Pride's advantage. The Wildcats pulled within one at 24-23, but Regis surged ahead with a 6-1 run, later stretching the lead to 35-25. Two three-pointers and a jumper helped the Pride take a 43-30 lead into halftime.

Johnson and Wales opened the second half with a 6-4 run, closing the gap to seven. A three-pointer from Azariah Harrison cut the deficit to four at 48-44, but Russell Rau (Westminster, Mass.) quickly answered with a three-pointer of his own. The Wildcats continued to battle, tying the game twice before taking their first lead at 56-54. They extended their advantage briefly, but Regis stormed back, reclaiming a one-point lead on a Jamir Harvey (Robbins, Ill.) layup.

Both teams traded the lead down the stretch, but Rau sealed the win for the Pride with two free throws, a clutch three-pointer, and two more from the line to cap a 73-69 victory.

Rau led Regis with 32 points and seven rebounds, while Harvey added 16 points and nine boards.

Regis concludes the regular season at 10-15 overall and 5-9 in GNAC play.