Box Score BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Men's Basketball team came away with a hard-fought victory against Clark University, winning the Courtyard by Marriott Tip-Off Saturday afternoon by an 83-79 score.
Clark maintained the momentum early, holding the lead throughout the first six minutes of the game. However, the Cougars were unable to build an advantage larger than six, allowing the Hawks to stay within reach. The two teams traded baskets over a three-minute stretch halfway through the period, changing leads eight times. Down 37-29 with 6:51 to play in the half, the Hawks continued to chip away at the lead, pulling to within four going into the second period.
Holding a 45-41 advantage entering the period, Clark was able to stretch the gap to nine with a 12-7 run in the opening four minutes. At that point the Hawks put the clamp down on both ends of the floor, storming off on a 14-0 run to take a 62-57 lead with 12:03 to play.
Over the course of the next seven minutes, neither team was willing to give up, with the lead changing three times until the Cougars made it 73-70 with 5:27 to play. The Hawks continued to charge, taking the lead 75-74 with 3:36 to play on a
William Barrett (Fairfield, Conn.) three-point play. Clark regained a one-point advantage on a Peter Normandin (Westminster, Mass.) layup, but
Geoff Baranger (Fairfield, Conn.) answered on the other end with the go-ahead score. The Hawks held off the Cougars down the stretch, holding Clark to three points over the last two minutes of the game en route to the win.
Baranger, who was named MVP of the tournament, finished the game with his first double-double of the season with a 25-point, 12-rebound effort. Barret and
Tucker Bashaw (Williston, Vt.) joined Baranger on the all-tournament team. Bashaw scored 21 on 8-of-10 shooting, while Barret added 15 points and seven assists.
Clark's Normandin also made the all-tournament team, scoring 23 points and grabbing seven rebounds in the game.
In the consolation game, Castleton State College eased its way to a 102-77 win. A 6-5 Suffolk advantage at the 17:07 mark was the Rams' only lead of the game, as Castleton State took a 24-point lead into the half. Suffolk would not come closer that 17 over the rest of the game.
Castleton's Josh Howe (Randolph, Vt.) and Chris Young (Narragansett, R.I.) each scored 20 points with six rebounds. Howe was Castleton's lone representative on the all-tournament team. Suffolk's Alan Jaziri (Norwich, Conn.) put up 21 points with seven boards.
Roger Williams (2-0) will remain at home for a 7:00 p.m. matchup against Connecticut College before the Thanksgiving break.
Roger Williams University: Courtyard by Marriott Tip-Off Champions
All Tournament Team
Peter Normandin (Clark)
Josh Howe (Castleton)
