Graham Posts Season High in Loss to Pioneers

UTICA, N.Y. – The AMCATS played their first game in nearly three weeks this afternoon in a tournament hosted by Utica College. AMC opened play against the Utica Pioneers and while they played well for forty minutes ultimately fell to the hosts, 99-73.

For the AMCATS, sophomore forward Mike Rapoza (Charlton, Mass) led all scorers with 19 points, and all rebounders with 10 boards, good for his seventh double-double of the season. Senior forward, Kenneth Graham (West Haven, Conn) scored a season high 16 points and also grabbed six rebounds on the afternoon. Also scoring double digit points for the AMCATS was sophomore guard Bobby Perette (Marshfield, Mass) who tallied 12 for the visitors.

The host, Utica Pioneers, senior guard Bennito Ayarza (Brooklyn, N.Y.) was the leading scorer for Utica with 18 points. Senior forward, Ivan Iton (Ossining, N.Y.) scored 14 for his team while senior guard Joe Stortini (Rhinebeck, N.Y.) added 12 of his own in the win.

Although the Pioneers jumped out to a 7-0 lead to begin the game, Anna Maria was able to score 18 points in the paint in the first half which allowed them to keep the game close. Mike Rapoza scored 10 of his 19 in the first half to keep AMC within 15 points heading in to the break, 46-33. In the second half, Kenneth Graham and Bobby Perette got hot but so did a handful of Pioneers. While the AMCATS were able to score 40 points in the second half the defense faltered and Utica was able to score 53 of their own. It looked like AMC was going to be able to get back in to this one late as they cut the deficit but ultimately UC got the win in the opening game of their tournament, 99-73.

The AMCATS will be back in action tomorrow afternoon. Opponent and time are still to be determined.

To see the full box score, Click Here.