WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The New England College men's basketball team falls big against one of the best teams in the nation as they went up against the University of Saint Joseph on Saturday afternoon at the James A. Calhoun Gymnasium in West Hartford, Connecticut in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action.  

THE BASICS 
Score: New England College 56, University of Saint Joseph 81 
Records: Pilgrims 3-7, 1-1 GNAC | Blue Jays 7-2, 2-0 GNAC 

 
TURNING POINTS 

• It was a very close contest in the first eight minutes and 20 seconds into the game as USJ led 17-14 in that time period after a hot start with back-to-back layups from senior Jalen Samuels (Franklin, Mass.) in the opening minutes. 
• From there, USJ busted out a 28-11 run to end the first half 45-25 with Samuels and senior guard Tyree Mitchell (East Hartford, Conn.) with 15 points each. 
• The Blue Jays opened up the second half with 10 straight points as Mitchell contributed on five of them. 
• NEC did make it a little more competitive in the second half as USJ only had a 36-31 scoring advantage in the final 20 minutes. The Blue Jays never trailed as they closed out 81-56 on the afternoon matchup. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

• NEC sophomore guard Junior Efosa (Haverhill, Mass.) led all scorers for the 'Grims as he put in 11 points along with six rebounds and a block. 
• Both junior center Justin Dunne (Derry, N.H.) and sophomore guard Stravis Lutchman (Palmetto, Fla.) came off the bench and tallied six points and two rebounds each. 
• USJ's Samuel was the game's high scorer with 21 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. 
• Mitchell also hit the 20-point mark for the Blue Jays to along with four rebounds and an assist. 
• USJ had a great shooting spree as they converted 47.3% of their shots to NEC's 37.2%. 
• Despite the big loss, the 'Grims were efficient behind the arc as they nailed 42.9% from there to the Blue Jays' 26.1% 
• USJ won the rebounding battle in the conference game by a 42-30 advantage. 

UP NEXT 

• Up next for NEC, the team will return home for a matchup on Thursday, December 14th against Wentworth Institute of Technology at Bridges Gymnasium before a two-week break. Tipoff is set for 7:00 PM. 
• USJ will play in the Steve Moore Sunshine Shootout in Winter Park, Florida on Tuesday, December 19th where they will face Bethany Lutheran College in the first game at 1:00 PM.  

For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.