SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Roger Williams University Men's Basketball team remains undefeated in the early TCCC season, as the Hawks defeated Western New England College Tuesday evening by a 65-52 margin.

 

The Hawks jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead with baskets by Tucker Bashaw (Williston, Vt.) and Corey Fava (Aliso Viejo, Calif.). The Golden Bears hung with RWU, eventually tying the game at 16 on a jump shot by Jim Bayne (Bristol, Conn.) with just over seven minutes left in the half.

 

A Dan Gumb (Patterson, N.Y.) layup on the next possession began an 18-8 run to end the period, giving the Hawks a 34-24 lead going into the second half.

 

The Hawks then expanded the lead to 20 over the opening five minutes and never looked back. Western New England pulled within eight in the final minute of play, but the Hawks sank seven of their final eight free throws to hold on to the win.

 

Three Hawks scored in double figures, including Bashaw, who led all scorers with 18 points, while Billy Barrett (Fairfield, Conn.) and Geoff Baranger (Fairfield, Conn.) each contributed ten apiece.

 

Bayne finished with 16 points and nine rebounds for Western New England, while Asif Abdul-Wadud (Springfield, Mass.) scored ten points with three boards.

 

Roger Williams (6-8, 2-0 TCCC) will host Wentworth Institute of Technology Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m., while Western New England (7-6, 1-1 TCCC) takes on Endicott College Saturday at 3:00 p.m.