PAXTON, Mass.- Senior Billy Barrett's (Fairfield, Conn.) 1,000th career point was not enough to push the Roger Williams University men's basketball team past Anna Maria College, as the AMCATS defeated the Hawks 80-70 at The Fuller Activities Center on Tuesday night.
Sophomore Chris Pinsonault (Marlboro, Mass.) exploded to score a game-high 31 points on 11-13 shooting from the field and 5-6 from beyond the arc to spark the Anna Maria College to the win during “Think Pink” night The AMCATS move to 5-17 overall and 2-8 in The Commonwealth Coast Conference. The Hawks now fall to 9-12 on the year and even their conference record at 5-5.
From the opening tip, both teams appeared evenly matched. The two teams traded baskets until the AMCATS made their move with just under seven minutes remaining in the half. With the score tied at 16-all, AMC went on a 9-2 run, getting baskets from Pinsonault, Sophomore Derek Johnson (Worcester, Mass.), freshman Brad Peterson (North Kingstown, RI), and sophomore Ryan Joyal (Marlboro, Mass.) to build a 25-18 lead. The Hawks countered with a 9-0 run to close out the half, grabbing a 27-25 advantage on a layup by freshman center Pat Flanagan (Somerville, Mass.).
The first half saw four ties and eight lead changes as the two teams battled. Flanagan and Pinsonault led all first half scorers with 10 points apiece, both hitting 4-5 from the floor. Flanagan helped the Hawks build a 16-6 advantage on points in the paint.
Pinsonault picked up right where he left off to start the second half, draining a two three-pointers and a layup during a 15-5 run by the AMCATS to build a 40-32 advantage and forcing Hawks head Coach Michael Tully to call a timeout. Out of the timeout, AMC continued to roll, going on 10-3 run and building a 15-point lead with 10 minutes left to play in the half.
From there the Hawks slowly chipped away at the AMC lead, opting to start fouling the AMCATS and ending them to the line with three minutes left on the clock. Roger Williams would close the gap to eight, but senior Henry Rose (Coventry, RI) drained 7-8 from the free throw line to help the AMCATS hang on for the 80-70 win.
Pinsonault ignited the AMCATS with his 31 points, adding eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Derek Johnson also had a strong game, scoring 17 points with seven rebounds and three steals, while Henry Rose scored 14 points while hitting several clutch free throws down the stretch.
The Hawks were led by senior Tucker Bashaw (Williston, Vt.) who had a team-high 18 points on 7-13 shooting. Barrett finished with 15 points in the game.
The Hawks will take the court again on Thursday when they host Rhode Island College at 7:00 pm. The AMCATS will be back in action on Saturday hosting New England College at 3:00 pm during the “Sea of Red” event on Valentine's Day.
- Release courtesy of the Anna Maria College Sports Information Department
