James Rhodes Breaks Out In Close Loss To Saint Joseph's of Maine

STANDISH, Me. - Even with James Rhodes going 6-8 from the floor and 4-6 from the three point arc for 16 points, the effort just wasn't enough Thursday night as the Emerson Men's Basketball Team fell by ten to GNAC opponent, Saint Joseph's of Maine 62-52. The loss drops the Lions to 3-17 overall and 3-11 in the conference as the Monks move on to 14-5 overall and 10-3 in the GNAC.

At tip-off the starting five struggled against the Monk defense with only Nathan Firn able to put up four points before Rhodes came in to start throwing down immediately as he went three for three... in threes, good for nine points to boost the Lions and keep the game close.

The main advantage the Monks had in the half was better shooting though as they hit 44% to EC's 36% as Zach O'Brien and Nicholas Jobin put up nine and eight apiece to propel the Monks to their three point lead at the half with a 27-24 point spread at the break.

While the Lions came out determined to put up better offensive numbers, their counterparts did the same as SJM exploded for a 50% success rate on the floor while going flawless at the line as well in the half.

While the Lions succeeded in bettering their offense, the effort wasn't to be even as Rhodes again lit it up in the second half, going 3-5 for seven points and three assists. Teammate Drew Venter also scrapped for five points as well as two dimes as EC tried to keep pace but watched the Monks pull away with the 62-52 final.

The Lions will return home for another GNAC match-up as they play Suffolk this Saturday in Boston at Emerson's Brown-Plofker Gym with a tip-off time of noon.