FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Courtesy of JWU Athletics Communications

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – For the second time in three seasons the Johnson & Wales University, men's basketball team is on top of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference. The Wildcats went on the road to upset top seed Albertus Magnus College, 84-80, on Saturday for the GNAC championship and a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Records:
Albertus Magnus: 21-16
Johnson & Wales: 19-9

Statistical Leaders:
Jarell Lawson (JWU): 25 points, 8 rebounds
Brian Hogan-Gary (JWU): 13 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists
Nate Patenaude (JWU): 14 points, 8 rebounds

Of Note:
Albertus Magnus led by as many as nine, 59-50, on a Liam Perryman free throw with 12:31 to play. The Wildcats clawed their way back and took a 67-66 advantage on a Jarell Lawson three-pointer at the 6:24 mark.

Jahmerikah Green-Younger put the Falcons up 76-72 with three minutes left. JWU came up with a pair of defensive stops and got a layup from Nate Patenaude as well as a Lawson three-pointer to take the lead with a minute remaining. The Wildcats knocked down seven free throws to seal the victory.

Johnson & Wales pulled ahead midway through the first half when Patenaude made a layup to put the Wildcats up 26-19. Albertus Magnus battled back and took a 36-34 lead on a Green-Younger three-pointer. The Falcons took a 40-39 advantage into the half.

Leading all scorers with 25 points was Lawson, who was named GNAC Tournament MVP. He was joined on the all-tournament team by Brian Hogan-Gary and Randall Ferdinand.

All five JWU starters reached double figures. Patenaude and Matt Madoian each tossed in 14 points while Hogan-Gary and Ferdinand were next with 13 and 12, respectively.

The difference in the game came at the free throw line. Johnson & Wales was 24-for-37 while the host was 14-of-26

Up Next:
Johnson & Wales will now wait to see who it plays in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.  The selection show is scheduled for Monday at 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 20 - Quarterfinals
Game 1: #1 Albertus Magnus 87, #8 Anna Maria 66 | BOX
Game 2: #4 Lasell 88, #5 Regis (Mass.) 72 | BOX
Game 3: #6 Suffolk 69, #3 Saint Joseph's Maine 65 | BOX
Game 4: #2 Johnson & Wales (RI) 77, #7 Norwich 72  | BOX

Thursday, February 22 - Semifinals
Game 5: #1 Albertus Magnus 97, #4 Lasell 86 | BOX
Game 6: #2 Johnson & Wales (RI) 80, #6 Suffolk 74 | BOX

Saturday, February 24 - Final
Game 7: #2 Johnson & Wales (RI) 84, #1 Albertus Magnus 80 | BOX 

Founded in 1995, the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 13 member institutions and over 3,000 student-athletes across the New England region. Each year, the GNAC sponsors and administers 20 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunities and community involvement. 

– #TheGNAC –

2018 GNAC Men's Basketball Championship