HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College men's basketball team lost 84-66 to visiting Rivier University on Saturday evening at the Bridges Gymnasium in Henniker, New Hampshire in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action.

THE BASICS
Score:                    Rivier 84, New England College 66
Records:               Pilgrims 4-10, 1-2 GNAC | Raiders 9-2, 3-0 GNAC

TURNING POINTS

• After a slow start for both teams, the Raiders started to pull away down the stretch of the first half, using a 15-0 run to go into halftime with a 41-16 advantage, a lead largely built on a 50 percent shooting mark from behind the three-point line.      
• The second half saw Rivier hold off NEC, as every time the Pilgrims started to chip into the lead, the Raiders seemed to pick-up a big basket to maintain their edge.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• NEC freshman guard Shawn O'Keefe (Salem, Mass.) continued his strong play of late, shooting a perfect seven-of-seven from the floor for a team-high 15 points. After scoring just two total points through the first 11 games of the season, O'Keefe is averaging 13.0 points per game over his last three contests.
• Rivier senior guard Devin Owens (Irvine, Calif.) posted a game-high 34 points, shooing 7-of-12 from behind the arc, while pulling down nine rebounds with three assists.
• NEC junior guard Alex Williams (Miramar, Fla.) finished with 11 points and a team-best six boards.
• Rivier junior guard Odarius Cade (Anderson, S.C.) recorded 13 points while dishing out a game-high seven assists.
• NEC graduate guard Nick Gomeau (Enfield, Conn.) shot 5-of-9 from the floor for 11 points.
• Rivier held a 13-2 advantage in three-pointers made for the day.

UP NEXT

• Up next for NEC, the team travels to Dean College on Wednesday for a 4:00 p.m. game.
• Rivier hosts Lesley University on Monday at 4:00 p.m.

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