Miles Gillette led the Raiders with 18 points in a season-opening loss at Brandeis on Thursday night. (Photo courtesy of Rivier University)

WALTHAM, Mass. — The Rivier University men’s basketball team fell in its long awaited season opener Thursday night to a tough non-conference opponent in Brandeis University, 97-71.

The first half was all the Judges, who shot a ridiculous 52.5% from the field. They did, however, struggle from the free throw line (57.1%, 4-7) and from three (9.1%, 1-11). Still, the Raiders found themselves down quickly in the early going as Brandeis scored the first nine points of the contest.

Tommy Eastman was the leading scorer for the Judges going into the half with 15. Nolan Hagerty was just behind him with 12 points.

Rivier’s Miles Gillette (Washington, DC) was the team’s top scorer with 12 points going into the half. Nikolas Pignone (Stoneham, MA) put in an eight-point effort for the Raiders coming off the bench.

Hagerty finished with a game high 22 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Eastman had 15 points, six assists, and five rebounds.

Gillette had a team high 18 points and 10 rebounds to complete the double-double. Pignone had 12 points and five rebounds for the Raiders.

The second half was almost identical shooting wise for both squads. Hagerty finished on top of the team for scoring in the second half with 10 points. Toby Harris had a big half off of the bench for Brandeis with nine points. Nesta Roberts (Manchester, CT) put together an eight-point half to take the top spot.

Rivier will be back in action this Saturday when MCLA makes the trip to the Muldoon Center for a 1 p.m. game.