AMCATS Score First Win of New Year

 PAXTON, Mass. – Senior Brad Peterson (North Kingstown, RI) scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Anna Maria College past Nichols College 85-71 in men's basketball non-conference action tonight at The Fuller Center. Win the win the AMCATS move to 3-6 while the Bison drop to 2-7 on the year.

Joining Peterson in double figures was Anthony Click (Springfield, Mass.) and Javier Bristol (Haverhill, Mass.). Click scored a team high 21 points added 4 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals while Bristol had 16 points, 4 rebounds and 6 steals on the night. Freshman guard Michael Gorman (Methuen, Mass.) dished out a game high six assists on the night.

Nichols sophomore guard Ryan Sheehan (North Attleboro, Mass.) scored a game-high 33 points had 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. The freshman duo of Marlon Bennett (Stratford, Conn.) and Jalen Graham (Ansonia, Conn) combined for 21 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists for the Bison.

The teams traded baskets for the opening nine minutes of action with neither team holding a lead larger than three points and the score tied at 14-14. AMC freshman guard Corey Pryor (Northbridge, Mass.) came off the bench and hit back-to-back three pointers to give the AMCATS a 17-14 lead at the 10:41 mark of the first half, Pryor's points ignited a 24-7 run by Anna Maria and a 43-28 lead heading into intermission. AMC shot a blistering 61% from the floor in the first half.

In the second half Anna Maria built their lead to 21 points after a Brad Peterson jumper made it 65-44 with ten minutes remaining. Nichols mounted a valiant comeback going on a 17-3 run to cut the lead to 7 points with 5:53 remaining. Bison' Jalen Graham had 5 points and Ryan Sheehan converted a three point play during the run. With both teams in foul trouble, Anna Maria made their free-throws down the stretch for the win.

The AMCATS return to action on Saturday afternoon when they host Emerson College at 1:00 pm, the Bison also play on Saturday when they travel to Wentworth for a 3:00 pm tip-off.