BOSTON, Mass. -- The 14th-ranked Embry-Riddle Eagles soared over the Mustangs of Mount Ida College, 85-67, to bring home the 25th annual Boston Harbor Invitational Tournament trophy Saturday afternoon at the Clark Athletic Center in Boston, Mass.
The Eagles came out strong in the first half of the contest, putting up 44 points compared to the Mustangs 29-point effort. Eric Lorenzi and Ray Graham topped the scoring charts with 10 points each, while Blake Touchard tallied six points and six assists in the first frame. The Eagles took a 14-point lead into the locker room and closed out the first half out-rebounding the Mustangs 22 to 15.
Lorenzi opened the second half by knocking down three shots from beyond the arc, to give the Eagles a steady lead over the Mustangs. The Blue and Gold went on to lead by as many as 27 during the second half, and were led by Lorenzi's 23-point performance.
Despite gaining a 27-point advantage over Mount Ida, the Mustangs battled their way back and pulled within nine of the Eagles, but were unable to close the gap as ERAU closed out the contest 85-67.
Lorenzi was named the 2009 Harbor Invitational Tournament Most Valuable Player, while teammates Touchard and David Butler were named to the All-Tournament team.
The Eagles wrapped up the championship game with five players in double digits, including Lorenzi (23), Graham (19), Glenn Dalcourt (11), Touchard (10), and Butler (10).
The Eagles will be back in action Wednesday, Dec. 2, as they host the Flagler Saints at the ICI Center in a 7 p.m. battle, as it could be the final meeting between the two schools.
Visit savetherivalry.com or facebook.com/savetherivalry to check out the history of the team's meetings and to sign a petition to keep the rivalry going.