BRISTOL, R.I. – On Thursday evening the Roger Williams University Men's Basketball team came well prepared for a strong team from Wheaton and came out on top by a final score of 63-58.  The Hawks held a four point advantage at half and never surrendered the lead to get their sixth win of the season.

The first half saw both teams get their share of the lead, as there were three ties and five lead changes.  In the opening frame the Hawks went 4-12 from behind the arc, including a three pointer by Travis O'Dell (Brunswick, Maine) that turned into a four-point play as he was fouled and drained the free throw with 1:28 left in the half.  The Hawks lead would be 29-25 going into the second half.

Starting the half the Hawks came out with a couple quick baskets and extended their lead to eight, the biggest of the game.  The Lyons would come back and bring it within three after a long range jump shot by Anthony Coppola (Watertown, Mass.).  The next ten minutes would see the Hawks maintain a lead by as much as six and as little as one.

The home team would be able to gain some ground back and extend the lead back to eight after two free throws by Corey Fava (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) with 1:11 left to play.  The Lyons' Scott Faucher (Lebanon, N.H.) hit a three pointer to get Wheaton within reach of the lead in the final minute.  Another three pointer by the Lyons with just :25 left got them within two points.  After the Hawks were able to inbound the ball the visitors were forced to foul.  After several key free throws by the Hawks they were able to kill the clock and seal the victory for RWU.

Setting the pace for the Lyons was Coppola with 14 points, two assists, two blocks and a steal.  Controlling the boards for Wheaton was Cliften Desravines (Somerville, Mass.) with 11.  The Hawks were led by O'Dell who put up 18, had two assists, three steals and five rebounds.  Fava chipped in with 12 points of his own and two assists as well as four rebounds.  Pat Flanagan (Somerville, Mass.) led the team in boards pulling down nine.  Roger Williams had nine different players contribute with points and shot 37.5% FG's and 40% from three-point range for the game while the visitors shot 36.2% and 35% respectively.

With the loss the Lyons record now stands at 2-2 while the Hawks improve to 6-1 on the year.  Next up for Wheaton is an away game at Bridgewater State on Saturday at 1 p.m. while the Hawks will be at home against the U.S. Coast Guard Academy also on Saturday at 1 p.m.