BOSTON, Mass. -- Sophomore Eric D'Aguanno (Saunderstown, R.I. / Saint Andrews) and senior Latye Workman (Brooklyn, N.Y. / Bedford Academy) combined for 34 points and 18 rebounds, but the Brandeis University men's basketball team couldn't overcome a hot shooting night from Suffolk's Thomas Duffy, who scored 25 points on 4-5 from downtown, as the Rams took a 75-67 win in the season opener for both teams tonight in Boston.
D'Aguanno scored 10 of his 18 points in the second half as the Judges tried to climb back into the game. He shot 6-13 overall, 4-9 from 3-point range and 2-3 from the line. He also led Brandeis with three steals in addition to matching Workman on the boards. Workman added 6-10 from the field and 4-6 from the line for his 16. Senior Nate Meehan (Lowell, Mass./Phillips Andover) added 11 points, hitting 3-3 from beyond the arc, while rookie Lawrence Sabir (Pawtucket, R.I./LaSalle Acad.) had four assists in his debut. The Judges were unable to overcome a 19-9 turnover deficit despite shooting 50 percent from the field (22-44) and 45 percent from deep (9-20).
In addition to Duffy, Suffolk put two other players in double digits in scoring. Michael Hagopian hit 4-5 3-pointers en route to 14 points, while George Grillakis was 6-9 overall as he scored 13 off the bench for the Rams. Grillakis outscored the entire Brandeis bench on his own (13-12) as the hosts enjoyed a 25-12 overall edge in bench scoring. Hagopian, Kevin Querusio and Jim Djemia each had six rebounds to lead the home team. Djemia's four assists matched Sabir for game-high honors. The Rams were able to take advantage of Brandeis's turnover woes, scoring 22 points of Judge miscues, while Brandeis had just 10 points of turnovers.
Brandeis is back in action on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. against Becker College. The Judges will honor the 60th anniversary of the University's first-ever NCAA tournament squad, the 1957-58 men's basketball team, at halftime.