SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Hawks of Roger Williams University defeated the Bobcats of Bates College, 69-67 in overtime, of the consolation game of the men's basketball division of the Hampton Inn West Springfield/Naismith Classic this afternoon at SC's Blake Arena. With the win, Roger Williams is now 7-4. Bates is also now at 7-4.

For Roger Williams, four players scored in double figures. They included junior center Pat Flanagan (Somerville, Mass.) with 24, senior guard Corey Fava (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) with 14, senior forward Travis O'Dell (Brunswick, Me.) with 13, and sophomore guard Matt Grossbard (Pearl River, N.Y.) with 10.

Senior forward Brian Ellis (Braintree, Mass.) was one of four players for Bates who scored in double figures. He finished with 17 points. Also in double figures for the Bobcats were senior forward Nick Schmiemann (Weymouth, Mass.) with 14, sophomore guard Mark Brust (Duxbury, Mass.) with 14, and senior forward Alex Gallant (Bangor, Me.) with 10.

Flanagan for Roger Williams and Ellis for Bates have already been named to the All-Tournament team.

At the half, Ellis led Bates with 12 points. Gallant was next with six points. For Roger Williams, Flanagan had eight points, followed by Fava with six. Bates had a huge advantage in rebounding, 25-14. The Bobcats were shooting .406 from the floor, while Roger Williams was shooting .333 in the same category.

For the game, there were four ties, and the lead changed hands six times. Roger Williams shot .412 from the floor, while Bates shot .389. There was a huge disparity in free throws, with the Hawks making 25-of-29 and the Bobcats just 3-of-5.

The game was not truly determined until the clock wound down to six seconds remaining in overtime. The score was Roger Williams 67, Bates 64 -- and Bates had the ball. But O'Dell came up with a steal and was immediately fouled. O'Dell then made two free throws, giving RWU a near- insurmountable 69-64 lead. Brust then made a long 3-pointer at the buzzer to make the final 69-67.

In game #2 this afternoon, the men's championship game of this tournament, host Springfield College (7-4) will entertain Rutgers Newark University (11-1).

- Release courtesy of the Springfield College Sports Information Department