BOSTON, Mass. – With Nathan Firn exploding for 29 points and three teammates posting double-digits in points the Emerson Men's Basketball team opened up conference play Saturday with a dominating 90-74 win over the Suffolk Rams. The W is EC's first on the year to make the 1-5 overall and 1-0 in conference play as Suffolk falls to 3-4 on the year and 0-1 In the GNAC.

While the first half saw the Rams taking to the glass with 18 rebounds, Nathan Firn stepped up to take the Lions on his shoulders for 16 points as he was unstoppable shooting .700 from the field and 50% from the free throw line. Also making the difference were the thieving hands of the Lions as they ran off with nine steals, three for Eli Kell-Abrams alone in the half.

The Rams fired back with Matt Pepdjonovic putting up ten of his own, but the team play of EC kept the Ram defense off-kilt with Eli Kell-Abrams,  Bilali Kalilou-Mack and Eric Wahl all putting in eight, seven, and six points respectively in the half to send Emerson into the break up 44-35.

The Lions didn't let up in the second half either as they shot 50% from the floor as a team with Nathan Firn and Bilali Kalilou-Mack doing the Lion's share as they put up 13 and 11 points each. EC also came out of the locker room determined to hit the boards more as they pull 20 rebounds down to Suffolk's 15.

The Lions hung tough throughout though even as Dan Bisaccio collected three fouls to limit his play in the outing but saw Eli Kell-Abrams step up in the half to shoot 2-3 from the floor, go perfect beyond the arc and nail 4-7 from the line as EC put it together for a 90-74 final to open the door on conference play.

The Lions will return home to the hardwood on Monday as they set to face-off against Bates in Boston at Brown-Plofker Gym at 7 p.m.