BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University picked up its third straight win as the Hawks defeated Wentworth Institute of Technology, 62-56, in Commonwealth Coast Conference play Saturday afternoon.
With the win the Hawks move to .500 in conference play for the first time this season, going to 8-8 (9-14 overall). Wentworth also now sits at 8-8 in the CCC and 11-12 overall.
Zac Campbell (Woodbridge, Conn.) started things off with a layup in the opening minute before Wentworth's Jherson Colon (Boston, Mass.) tied the game up with a pair of free throws. Ryan Palumbo (Warwick, R.I.) later knocked down a jumper to regain the lead for the Hawks.
RWU stayed on top for the following six minutes before Ronnie Turner (Lewiston, Maine) gave the Leopards their first lead with a layup at the 11:12 mark. The Hawks tied the game three times over the remainder of the half but could not go back up over the rest of the period. Chris Bardwell (North Andover, Mass.) was able to knot the game at 24 apiece on RWU's last possession of the half. With his bucket, both teams went into the break tied.
Derek Mayo (Casco, Maine) put in the first points of the second half, but the Hawks would use a Josh Syska (Peabody, Mass.) three to take a 31-28 lead with 17:15 to play. Turner later hit a trey at 13:05 to bring Wentworth back on top by two (40-38).
On the next Hawk possession, Tom Carton (Essex Junction, Vt.) hit a three of his own to help spark a 14-2 RWU run to put the home team up by a ten-point margin (52-42). The Leopards clawed their way back, pulling within two (52-50) with under four minutes to play.
Joseph Henry (Medway, Mass.) helped shift the momentum in favor of the Hawks with 1:25 to play. With the shot clock about to expire, Alex Barry (Brookfield, Conn.) found Henry six feet behind the three-point line for a deep trey to double the Hawks' lead and make it a six-point game (58-52).
Palumbo had the final big defensive stop for RWU, swiping away a Colon crossover and getting fouled on a fastbreak layup attempt on the other end. He would knock down his free throws to build the RWU advantage to nine with 41 seconds to play and help seal the win.
Syska led the Hawks with 15 points and five rebounds, while Bardwell added 12 points and six boards off the bench. Palumbo stuffed the stat sheet with 11 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
Colon led all scorers with 17 for Wentworth with four rebounds and a pair of blocks. Ray Bessette (Dedham, Maine) finished a rebound shy of a double-double, going for 13 points and nine boards. John-Michael Fragnoli (Scotia, N.Y.) added 12 points off the bench, going a perfect 6-for-6 from the floor.
Roger Williams has its final regular season home game on Tuesday against Gordon, while Wentworth goes to Endicott on the same day.
(Portions of this recap courtesy of Roger Williams Sports Information)
March 3, 2014
Colon Named CCC Rookie of the Week
February 27, 2014
Men's Basketball Falls to Gordon in CCC Semifinals
February 25, 2014
Mayo, Colon Named All-Commonwealth Coast Conference
February 25, 2014
Men's Basketball Pulls off Upset at Eastern Nazarene
February 22, 2014
Men's Basketball Edged in Regular-Season Finale
February 22, 2014
CCC Men's Basketball Tournament Pairings Set
February 19, 2014
Strong Second Half Powers Endicott Past Men's Basketball
February 15, 2014
Men's Basketball Edged at Roger Williams
February 12, 2014
Donato's Buzzer Beater Lifts Men's Basketball Past Western New England
February 8, 2014
Men's Basketball Suffers Setback at Eastern Nazarene
February 4, 2014
Men's Basketball Cruises to 10th Win of the Season
February 1, 2014
Second Half Run Pushes Gordon Past Men's Basketball
January 29, 2014
Men's Basketball Sees Three-Game Skid Come to and End
January 23, 2014
Endicott Works Overtime to Defeat Men's Basketball
January 20, 2014
Colon Repeats as Rookie of the Week
January 18, 2014
Men's Basketball Falls at Nichols
January 15, 2014
Men's Basketball Holds on For Win
January 13, 2014
Colon Earns CCC Rookie of the Week Honors
January 11, 2014
Men's Basketball Rallies Past Roger Williams
January 9, 2014
Men's Basketball Win Streak Halted by Eastern Nazarene
January 7, 2014
Long-Range Shooting Helps Men's Basketball Win Third Straight
January 4, 2014
Strong Defensive Effort Lifts Men's Basketball to Win at Gordon
December 31, 2013
Men's Basketball Rolls to Win Over Maine-Fort Kent
December 30, 2013
Vassar Fends Off Men's Basketball
December 9, 2013
Colon Earns CCC Rookie Rookie of the Week Honors
December 7, 2013
Balanced Attack Paces Men's Basketball to Win over Curry
December 4, 2013
Men's Basketball Falls in Conference Opener
November 26, 2013
Men's Basketball Pulls Away in Second Half
November 25, 2013
Turner Named CCC Men's Basketball Rookie of the Week
November 23, 2013
Tufts Rallies in Second Half to Defeat Men's Basketball
November 21, 2013
Clark Overtakes Men's Basketball in Second Half
November 16, 2013
Late Run Pushes Framingham State Past Men's Basketball
November 15, 2013
Men's Basketball Opens Season With a Win
November 15, 2013
Men's Basketball Picked to Finish Seventh in CCC Pre-Season Poll
October 19, 2013
Five Inducted Into Athletic Hall of Fame
July 23, 2013
Arlen Galloway Named Head Men's Basketball Coach