BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Men's Basketball team opened up the 2007-08 season on a winning note, coming away a 91-56 victory over Castleton State College Friday evening in the Courtyard by Marriott Tip-Off at Roger Williams University.

 

The Hawks opened up the game on the slow side offensively, as Castleton State managed a slim lead over the course of the opening 10 minutes. The lead would not last much longer for the Spartans, with RWU kicking its offense into gear. After tying the game at 25 with 6:45 to go in the half, the Hawks closed the period on a 25-4 run to take a 19-point lead into the half. Michael Woolley (Seattle, Wash.) sparked the Hawk run, knocking down four treys over the span.

 

The second half saw RWU cruise throughout most of the period, as the Spartans could not cut the lead closer than 17.

 

Four Hawks reached double figures in scoring, including Wooley, Tucker Bashaw (Williston, Vt.), and Geoff Baranger (Fairfield, Conn.), who each led the team with 16 apiece. Dan Gumb (Patterson, N.Y.) scored 13 in the game while grabbing four rebounds.

 

Castleton State's Josh Howe (Randolph, Vt.) led all players with 20 points and eight rebounds in the game, including a 3-for-6 night behind the arc.

 

In the second game of the tip-off, Clark University advanced to the championship game with an 85-71 win over Suffolk University. Clark scored the first baskets of the game on a pair of free throws by Pat Ochoa (Springfield, Mass.) and never looked back. The Cougars never trailed the entire game, ending the half up by 15 en route to the 14-point victory.

 

Clark's Peter Normandin (Westminster, Mass.) recorded a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Suffolk's Brian Small (Stoughton, Mass.) led the Rams in scoring with 14 on the night.

 

Roger Williams (1-0) will face Clark tomorrow afternoon in the championship game at 3:00 p.m., while Castleton State and Suffolk play the earlier consolation game at 1:00 p.m.