(Nashua, N.H.) The 24th annual Rivier University Tip-Off Tournament has officially come to a close and it was the Falcons of Fisher College who took home the Championship plaque with a 70-53 win over Rivier for their first Tip-Off Tournament title. Senior Kyle Holmes (Hamden, Conn.) of Fisher was named the tournament MVP after totaling 43 points and 18 rebounds in the two tournament wins.
Championship Game: Fisher College 70, Rivier University 53 (Final)
A solid effort from the young Rivier squad held the Fisher offense in check over the first 20 as they entered the locker room trailing 34-30. However, a few defensive lapses and some missed opportunities allowed the Falcons to go on 24-4 run to open the second half and essentially put the game out of reach.
Freshman Tristian Givens (Windsor, Conn.) was selected to the All-Tournament team as he led the team with 20 points on 7-for-14 shooting from the floor. Senior Kevin Francis (Cromwell, Conn.) earned the All-Tournament nomination after recording eight point and eight rebounds in the championship game. Given finished the tournament with 52 points while Francis accumulated 20 points and 15 boards.
Junior AbdoulNasser Mika (Boston, Mass.) contributed with eight points and five rebounds off the bench for Rivier.
Holmes went for a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds as Fisher earned the 2016 Tournament Championship. The all-around effort from Holmes was supported by classmate Cooper Neal (Fresno, Calif.), who also was named All-Tournament, as he chipped in with 18 points and nine rebounds. Senior Darrell Grady (Staten Island, N.Y.) had eleven points and four assists while junior Roger Hamel finished with seven points for Fisher.
Rivier, now 1-2 on the season, will enjoy the next two days off before returning to action when they host New England College on Tuesday night. After playing three games in three days, Fisher will also enjoy two days off before hosting Lyndon State on Tuesday night.