The defeated the Fitchburg Red Raiders 40-38 in front of a packed house at WPI on Sunday afternoon.
It was a slow, defensive game for the most part. With Senior Forward Ryan Kelley out with a knee injury, the other big men for Saint John's were forced to step up.
Star forward Richard Rodgers did just that, quietly having a monster game. Rodgers finished with 21 points and 20 rebounds. Forward Matt Palecki fought for some hard fought offensive rebounds, and earned a few trips to the line, per usual.
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Fitchburg Guard Quinton Perkins was the play-maker for the Red Raiders, taking a majority of the shots toward the end of the tight match-up. Perkins let up a 3-point try just before the final buzzer, but the shot hit hard off the glass and sent Saint John's to the state title tournament. The Pioneers will face Northampton on Wednesday night at the DCU center.
