Amherst, N.Y. (11/11/16)  The Dominican College men's basketball team opened the 2016-2017 season with a 74-66 victory over Roberts Wesleyan College at the ECC-CACC Challenge presented by WNY Knee and Orthopedic Surgery PC.  With the win, DC improves to 1-0 on the season and will take on the host, Daemen College, tomorrow afternoon.

The game was tied at 7-all when the Chargers charged ahead with a 13-3 run to take a 20-10 lead with eight minutes remaining in the half.  RWC cut the lead to six with five and half to go, but Dominican countered with 12-4 first half closing run to increase their lead to 36-22 at the break.

Junior forward Gerrel Irvin (Bay Shore, N.Y.) netted 14 points in the first half and completed the double-double with 10 rebounds.

The Chargers retained the lead throughout the entire second half, although Roberts Wesleyan cut the lead to four points (70-66) with 46 seconds left on the clock.  Following a foul freshman Daniel Grant (Middletown, N.Y.) went to the line and hit two free throws, followed by Daraja Rodwell (Baldwin, N.Y.) and Travis Cook (Middletown, N.Y.) each hitting one free throw to lead the Chargers to the 74-66 victory.

Irvin finished with a game best 22 points and 15 rebounds.

Rodwell had 15 points and three steals, while Grant came off the bench to score 13 points.

Dominican (1-0) will take on the host Daemen College (1-0) tomorrow afternoon at Lumsden Gymansium.