BRISTOL, R.I. – Head Coach Bob Sheldon earned his 300^th win in his 21-year career with Tufts University as the Jumbos defeated the Roger Williams University Men's Basketball team 82-76 in the first game of the RWU/Courtyard by Marriott Tournament.

The game was tightly contested throughout, with the Hawks gaining a slight edge in momentum late in the second half on the strength of their shooting from downtown. RWU shot a blistering 61.1 percent, hitting 11 of 18 shots from three-point range. Despite the hot shooting, the Hawks never led by more than six.

With the score tied at 66 apiece and just under five minutes remaining, Tufts' Dave Beyel (Ocean City, N.J.) ran off five straight points on a pair of free throws and a three-pointer to give the Jumbos a 71-66 advantage with under four to play. The Hawks cut the gap to two on a pair of Corey Fava (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) free throws, but Beyel's tip-in on the next possession, followed by a trey with 47 seconds left gave the Jumbos a comfortable seven-point edge towards the win.

Beyel led all scorers with 24 points, while Jon Pierce (Belmont, Mass.) added a double-double with 21 points and ten rebounds. For the Hawks, Tucker Bashaw (Williston, Vt.) notched 23 points, including six three-pointers. Billy Barrett (Fairfield, Conn.) added 18 points with three assists.

In the second game of the tournament, Western Connecticut State University 93-91 over Lasell College in an overtime thriller. With the score tied at 91 and six seconds left on the clock, Daquon Brooks managed a full-court inboard to Dave Addy, who passed it to an open Dewayne Dickens. He jumped from just outside the left side of the paint, caught the ball in mid air and shot it all in one motion. Dickens banked the game-winner off of the glass as time expired.

The matchups are now set for the final day of competition. Roger Williams (1-1) will take on Lasell (1-1) at 1:00 p.m. in the consolation game, while Western Connecticut State (1-0) plays Tufts (2-0) at 3:00 p.m. in the championship game.