PAXTON, Mass. – January 24, 2024 – The Dean College men's basketball team was topped by Anna Maria, 81-66, in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) contest Wednesday night.

The Bulldogs (6-13, 2-6 GNAC) return home on Saturday to host Emmanuel at 3 p.m. Anna Maria (7-12, 2-6 GNAC) hosts Saint Joseph's (Maine) on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Senior AJ Weston (Kansas City, Mo.) led the Bulldogs with 19 points. Junior Paris Smith (Chicago, Ill.) added 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting. Junior Harlan Nichols (Las Vegas, Nev.) was the third Dean player in double figures with 10 points. He made 4-of-5 shot attempts, was 2-of-2 from beyond the arc and grabbed six rebounds.

Jopaul McKrieth poured in a game-high 33 points to lead the AMCATS. Gabe Armstead posted a double-double of 20 points and 10 boards, while Sean Zabari chipped in with 11 points.

Dean had a 16-12 lead after a Weston jumper, nine minutes into the game. Anna Maria used an 11-2 run over the next five minutes to take a 23-18 advantage. The home team pushed the lead to 12 with an Armstead layup in the final seconds of the half for the 40-28 margin at the break.

The AMCATS held a double digit lead throughout the second frame as McKrieth and Armstead combined for 27 points.