Men's Basketball 11/16/2014 5:06:00 PM

Fitchburg State wins RWU/Courtyard By Marriott Tip-Off

Box Score BRISTOL, R.I. – Fitchburg State claimed the 2014 RWU/Courtyard By Marriott Tip-Off Tournament Championship with a 69-44 win over the Roger Williams University Men's Basketball team Sunday afternoon. Suffolk University earned third place, defeating Lesley University 83-64 in the Consolation Game.

The Hawks opened the game on a 9-4 run for an early lead. Though Fitchburg State would come back, the game remained close early on, as it was a one-possession for most of the first part of the half. However, a 10-0 Falcon run broke a 12-12 tie, and from that point, the Falcons would continue to build its lead. Christian Dunston (Salem, Mass.) drained a three-pointer at the buzzer to give Fitchburg State its largest lead, a 41-22 advantage going into the second half.

In the second half, the Falcons continued to use their size and athleticism to their advantage. They held RWU to only 38.5% shooting (10-of-26) in the half while forcing ten turnovers and scoring 20 points in the paint in the period.

Fitchburg's Kwame Lee (Brockton, Mass.) was named tournament MVP and finished the game with 11 points, five rebounds, and two steals. Jalen Williams (Meriden, Conn.) was also named to the all-tournament team and finished with five points, five boards, and four assists. Maurice Greene (Brooklyn, N.Y.) had 11 points and eight rebound as well.

Ryan Palumbo (Warwick, R.I.), who also made the all-tournament team, led the Hawks with 16 points along with two steals. Andrew Wasik (Gainesville, Fla.) and Jaylen Jennings (Norwalk, Conn.) each scored seven, while Trevor Fahmy (Bedford, N.H.) had two points and eight rebounds.

In the consolation game, Suffolk and Lesley traded baskets in the beginning of the game, with two ties and seven lead changes in the first seven minutes of the game. However, Suffolk's Curtis Casella (Saugus, Mass.) broke a 12-12 tie with a three-pointer with 13:12 left in the first half.

From there, Suffolk would not relinquish the lead, Casella's basket sparked a 13-3 run for the Rams. Though Lesley pulled within six (22-28) on a pair of Justin Rosa free throws, Suffolk closed out the half on a 20-6 run to go into the break up by 20. Lesley would not come closer than 17 over the course of the second half as the Rams earned the win.

Sam Nwadike (Houston, Texas) made the all-tournament team and finished with 26 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Caleb Unni (Winchester, Mass.) had a double-double for the Rams with ten points and ten boards, while Casella finished with 19 points off the bench.

Justin Rosa (East Brunswick, N.J.) was named all-tournament and finished with 17 points, four rebounds, and three steals. Terrell Toney (Lakewood, Wash.) led the Lynx with 18 points and five rebounds, while Corbin Polec (Okemos, Mich.) chipped in with 15 points off the bench.

All-Tournament Teams
#0 Justin Rosa – Lesley University
#10 Sam Nwadike – Suffolk University
#2 Ryan Palumbo – Roger Williams University
#5 Jalen Williams – Fitchburg State University

Tournament MVP
#4 Kwame Lee – Fitchburg State University

Tournament Champions
Fitchburg State University

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Players Mentioned

#42 Trevor Fahmy: C; 6' 8"; Junior

#2 Ryan Palumbo: G; 5' 10"; Senior

#12 Andrew Wasik: G; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#20 Jaylen Jennings: F; 6' 4"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#42 Trevor Fahmy
: 6' 8"; Junior
: C

#2 Ryan Palumbo
: 5' 10"; Senior
: G

#12 Andrew Wasik
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: G

#20 Jaylen Jennings
: 6' 4"; Freshman
: F