PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A large discrepancy from the free throw line helped Johnson & Wales University defeat the Roger Williams University Men's Basketball team Saturday afternoon by an 85-73 score.

 

The Wildcats went 31-of-38 from the charity stripe, as compared to RWU shooting 13-of-16 from the line.

 

After falling behind 6-0 early in the game, RWU rallied back to take a 17-14 lead with 12:50 to play. The Hawks maintained the advantage through the rest of the half until the final three minutes of play, when the Wildcats' 11-2 run turned a six-point gap into a three-point lead entering the second half.

 

The Hawks managed to keep the deficit no larger than three over the opening four minutes, making it a 41-42 score at the 16:40 mark. The Wildcats responded with another 11-2 run to stretch the lead to ten over a three-minute period.

 

RWU pulled within four halfway through the second half, but would not be able to come closer for the rest of the game. With the Wildcats in the bonus with 5:34 to play, the Hawks forced Johnson & Wales to hit free throws the rest of the way. JWU responded by going 15-of-20 at the line to close out the game.

 

Billy Barrett (Fairfield, Conn.) led RWU with 19 points, six assists, and six rebounds. Tucker Bashaw (Williston, Vt.) and Michael Woolley (Seattle, Wash.) each scored 13 for the Hawks.

 

The Wildcats' Japhet Kerr (Mt. Kisco, N.Y.) led all scorers with 26 points, including five assists. Tirone McCray (Brockton, Mass.) scored 23 in the game with a 13-of-14 performance from the line.

 

Roger Williams (3-5) will head into the holiday break, taking the next three weeks off before taking on Montclair State University on January 3 in the Springfield College Tournament.