Men's Basketball 1/29/2013 11:26:00 PM Written by Jackson Siefert, Athletic Communications Intern

Gordon pulls away late from Men’s Basketball

Box Score BRISTOL, R.I. – Gordon College pulled away from the Roger Williams University Men's Basketball team in the second half, defeating the Hawks 93-80 in a Commonwealth Coast Conference matchup Tuesday night in Bristol.

Gordon improved to 13-6 overall and 8-4 in the conference while the Hawks dropped to 6-13 and 3-9 in the conference.

The Hawks were able to jump out to a quick lead in the first three minutes of the game with aggressive defense and a fast pace offense. Seniors James LeCardi (Fair Haven, N.J.) and Mike Igoe (Lexington, Mass.) displayed their experience with LeCardi's fearless defense and Igoe's strong moves to the basket. Adam Cook (Manasquan, N.J.) was also able show off his range by hitting a three-pointer to push the hawks lead to 7-3, followed by two free throws from Igoe, putting their lead at 9-3.

Gordon answered right back with a six-point run, tying the game at 9-9 with 15:45 minutes left to go in the first half. Ryan Palumbo (Warwick, R.I.) was able to come up with a steal and run down the court for an easy layup, giving the Hawks an 11-9 lead. David Dempsey (Wallingford, Conn.) answered Palumbo with a strong inside move to the basket, tying the game at 11-11 and putting himself on the line for one shot. Dempsey missed his foul shot and the Hawks took over.

Both teams battled back and forth, scoring point after point. Gordon took an 18-15 lead over the Hawks with strong moves to the basket by Dempsey and good midrange shooting from Alex Carnes (Phoenix, Ariz.).

The Hawks went on a five point run with two outside shots from Igoe and Palumbo and a three-pointer by Travis Fonseca (Bridgeport, Conn.), putting the Hawks in front 20-18.

Again, both teams battled back and forth, tying the score four times. With 3:36 minutes left to go in the first half, the score was tied at 35-35. Dempsey was able to drive to the hoop for two, which was followed by an outside jump shot from Carnes to put Gordon out in front, 39-35.

Will Gerencer (Bowdoin, Maine) answered right back for the Hawks hitting a three-pointer. Taylor Bajema (Whitinsville, Mass.) and Carnes answered back with a couple of outside jumpers of their own improving their lead to 43-38.

Gerencer answered the call again, hitting an outside jumper to close the deficit within three. After Gerencer's shot, Gordon went on a six point run, ending the first half with Gordon leading the Hawks 46-40.

Palumbo started off the second half with a three-pointer for the Hawks, followed by an outside jump shot from Igoe closing the deficit to 45-46. Palumbo followed up his three-pointer with an aggressive steal at mid-court and an easy layup for two, putting the Hawks in front 47-46.

Hans Miersma (Whitinsville, Mass.) and Dempsey answered with two strong inside moves for Gordon improving their lead to 50-47.

Palumbo came right back at Gordon and hit a jump shot to put the Hawks down one, but Dempsey got back into the paint for another quick two. Gerencer made a quick layup for the Hawks, but they were quickly silenced by an outside three-pointer from Park Thomas (Scotsdale, Ariz.).

The game continued back and forth between the two teams until the 10-minute mark of the second half. Gordon went on an 11-point run, with a pair of three-pointers from Carnes and another by Thomas, putting Gordon up 71-60 over the Hawks.

Joseph Henry (Medway, Mass.) answered back with a layup of his own, but Carnes came right back hitting yet another three-pointer.

Igoe managed to make his way to the basket again for another layup putting the deficit to 66-74. Palumbo, with aggressive defense and energy, went right at Jordan Kelly (Braintree, Mass.)and stole the ball again, heading in for an easy layup.

The Hawks started battling back with a strong offensive rebounding and layups from Igoe to put the deficit at 70-74.

Shaun Roach was able to get into the paint for Gordon and get to the free throw line for two shots. Roach sunk both shots, which was followed by a Hawks turnover and two free throw shots for Taylor Bajema. Bajema made both shots, putting Gordon's lead at 78-70.

Palumbo answered back with two free throws of his own, but Dempsey came right back for Gordon with a strong spin move to the basket for two points. Henry silenced Gordon with a three-pointer, closing the gap to four at 76-80.

Carnes and Miersma came at the Hawks full court press strong and got themselves to the line for a pair of foul shots. They each sunk both their shots, putting their team in front 84-76 with 2:10 minutes left in the game.

The Hawks tried battling back but were unable to close the gap and Gordon ran away with a 93-80 victory, ending the game with a number of free throws.

Palumbo finished with a career-high 21 points, to go along with nine rebounds, seven assists, and five steals. Igoe added 16 points while LeCardi chipped in with 11 points.

Carnes finished with a game-high 39 points off the bench, while shooting 14-of-15 from the field and 5-of-5 from downtown. Thomas added 12 points and seven assists, while David Dempsey had 18 points and nine rebounds.

The Hawks will travel to Curry College for a 7:30pm game on Thursday, while Gordon travels to the University of New England the same night for a 7:30 pm tipoff.

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Players Mentioned

#11 Adam Cook: F; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#33 Will Gerencer: F; 6' 3"; Junior

#5 Joseph Henry: F; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#20 Mike Igoe: F; 6' 4"; Senior

#12 James LeCardi: G; 5' 8"; Senior

#1 Ryan Palumbo: G; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#15 Travis Fonseca: G; 5' 10"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#11 Adam Cook
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: F

#33 Will Gerencer
: 6' 3"; Junior
: F

#5 Joseph Henry
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: F

#20 Mike Igoe
: 6' 4"; Senior
: F

#12 James LeCardi
: 5' 8"; Senior
: G

#1 Ryan Palumbo
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: G

#15 Travis Fonseca
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: G