DARTMOUTH, Mass. (November 6, 2026) – Senior Shay Roban drained a go-ahead three-pointer with 23-seconds to play to send Emerson College on its way to a 71-67 victory over Baruch College on day one of the Lafrance Hospitality Tournament, hosted by the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth at Tripp Athletic Center this evening.
Roban finished with 15 points on 6-of-13 shooting from the floor, including 3-for-9 from beyond the arc, and five rebounds, while senior Guillermo Gasset Ruiz netted a game-high 20 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 2-for-4 from deep, while converting all six free-throws with six rebounds, two assists and two steals. Classmate Brendan Taylor rounded out the Lions in double-figures with 11 points, two boards and two blocked shots off the bench.
Junior Peter Douvres led Baruch with 17 points, three rebounds and two steals, while classmate Trevon Coppin added 16 points on 4-of-6 shooting, including 2-for-3 from three, while converting 6-of-8 free-throws, with five rebounds. Senior Jack Gordon contributed 11 points and four boards for the Bearcats.
Gasset Ruiz led the Lions with a game-high 20 points tonight (PHOTO BY Maleena Manalang, '28) |
Roban's go-ahead three answered a Baruch rally from a nine-point deficit (57-48) after a fastbreak layup from Emerson junior Hank Gramlich with nine minutes remaining. The Bearcats pulled even (59-59) when Gordon followed a Douvres triple with a free-throw with 4:27 to play.
Senior Caden Zurek pushed Emerson back in front with two free-throws, but senior Luke Reese drained a three to put Baruch on top (62-61) with 3:18 to play.
Baruch stretched its lead to three (67-64) at the line with 53-seconds on the clock, but Gasset Ruiz scored a layup and then Roban followed up a Bearcats turnover with his go-ahead triple. Senior BJ McNeil sealed the win with two free-throws after the Bearcats missed a tying layup at the other end.
Noteworthy
- Emerson won its season-opener for the fourth time in five seasons.
- Gasset Ruiz posted the second 20-point game of his Emerson career, marking his 21st career double-figure scoring game.
- Gasset Ruiz finished as the Lions leading scorer for the seventh time in his career.
- Roban scored in double digits for the 15th time in his career, netting three-plus three-pointers for the 13th time.
- Taylor netted his fourth career double-figure scoring outing at Emerson.
- Emerson held the lead for 10:08 in the contest.
- The Lions outscored Baruch 12-4 in second chance points and 20-13 in points off turnovers.
Up Next
Emerson (1-0, 0-0 NEWMAC) will face SUNY Potsdam in the championship round of the Lafrance Hospitality Tournament here at the Tripp Center tomorrow at 2 p.m. The Bears tipped host UMass Dartmouth in tonight's second game, 75-73. Baruch (0-1, 0-0 CUNYAC) will face the host Corsairs in the consolation game at noon.
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