BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Men's Basketball team opened the 2008-09 season with a home win against Johnson & Wales University Saturday afternoon by a 62-43 margin.

Going into the second half tied at 20 apiece, a strong second half surge ultimately decided the game in favor of RWU. The Hawks opened up the period with an 18-1 run to take a commanding 17-point lead. From there, RWU never looked back, maintaining its double-digit lead throughout the remainder of the game.

Sophomore forward Travis O'Dell (Brunswick, Maine) led the way for the Hawks with his first career-double, finishing with ten points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Billy Barrett (Fairfield, Conn.) scored 15 for RWU, while Tucker Bashaw (Williston, Vt.) and Michael Woolley (Seattle, Wash.) both notched double-digits in points with 13 and 11, respectively.

For Johnson & Wales, Darren Faust (Queens, N.Y.) and Lamonte Thomas (Providence, R.I.) led the Wildcats with eight points each. Paul Nicholson patrolled the paint with ten rebounds and a game-high four blocks.

Roger Williams (1-0) will host Tufts University, Lasell College, and Western Connecticut State University next weekend for the annual RWU/Courtyard by Marriott Tournament. The first game will be RWU vs. Tufts Friday at 6:00 p.m.