BABSON PARK, Mass.—Senior Matt Palazini (Franklin, Mass.) scored a game-high 18 points and led three players in double figures as Babson College opened its season by blowing out Thomas College, 93-44, on Friday night in the first round of the Babson Invitational at Staake Gymnasium.
With the victory, Babson (1-0) will take on Skidmore College, who topped Rhode Island College, 79-70 in the nightcap, in Saturday's championship game at 4 p.m. Thomas and RIC will meet in the consolation game at 2 p.m.
Junior Eric Dean (Gilford, N.H.) poured in 15 points to go along with eight rebounds and three assists, first-year Joey Flannery (Acton, Mass.) had 12 points and five rebounds, while Kenny Ross (Furlong, Pa.) chipped in with eight points, nine assists, and five rebounds for Beavers.
Senior Garen Manzo (Millinocket, Maine) led Thomas (0-1) with eight points while first-year Zach Badohu (Boston, Mass.) chipped in with seven points. Sophomore Levi Barnes (Skowhegan, Maine) had six points and three assists.
The Beavers trailed only once, 3-2 after a three-pointer from Terriers' senior Franklin Salvador (Somerville, Mass.) just 1:28 into the contest. A pair of free throws from sophomore Justin Murray (Winslow, Maine) pulled Thomas to within 13-9 with 13:42 left in the opening half before the hosts broke the game open with a 37-12 spurt to close the half, taking a 50-21 lead into the break.
Babson then started the second half with a 14-5 run to put the game away for good. Junior John Wickey (Manchester, N.H.), who pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds, knocked down a pair of free throws, and after a jumper from the Terriers' Marquis Pollard (Philadelphia, Pa.), Palazini started an eight-point burst with a layup, followed by a pair of buckets from Dean sandwiched around two free throws from Ross.
The Beavers shot 45.3 percent from the floor (34-for-75) on the night and knocked down eight of their nine three-pointers in the first half, while holding Thomas to 25 percent shooting (15-for-60). The Green and White also held a 62-37 advantage on the glass, and grabbed 24 offensive rebounds.