Box Score BRISTOL, R.I. - The Roger Williams University Men's Basketball team staved off a late run by Gordon College to hold on for a 73-71 win against the Fighting Scots Saturday afternoon.
 
Connor O'Brien (Sharon, Mass.) started the game off strong with a three-pointer and layup to put the Hawks in the early lead in the first two minutes. Gordon stayed in it with baskets from and Sam Johnson (Chatham, Mass.) and Graham Tienhaara (Holden, Mass.) bringing the score to 14-9 with 13 minutes to go in the half.
 
Eric Demers (W. Wareham, Mass.) came in with the big three at 7:30 to bring the Fighting Scots within striking distance, 22-18. Andrew Wasik (Gainesville, Fla.) pushed the Hawks lead with two back to back baskets with five minutes to go, the Hawks ahead 26-20. Demers landed a jumper with eight seconds to go to bring the score to 22-31.
 
In the final seconds of the half, Nick Marini (Loudonville, N.Y.) weaved through the defense and landed a layup, advancing the Hawks lead to 33-24.
 
O'Brien led the Hawks in points the first half with 11 along with five rebounds. Marini was close behind with eight points. Demers had a strong first half for Gordon with seven points.
 
The Fighting Scots came out in the second half running. Jaren Lang (San Francisco, Calif.) started the streak at 18:13 with a jumper, followed by Demers three-pointer to put Gordon in the lead 37-36. Wasik brought the Hawks back with a three-point play at the 15-minute mark.
 
Tight back-and-forth play continued throughout the second half; the game remained tied 41-41 with 14 minutes to go. Wasik continued to put in work with two back-to-back baskets, putting the Hawks in the lead by four, 45-41. Demers landed a layup at 11:10 to close the gap, the Fighting Scots now trailing by one.
 
Big plays offensively and defensively by Demers brought the Scots to a 48-47 lead with ten minutes to go.
 
Jake LeProvst (Lee, Mass.) tied the game at 9:38 with a free throw. Jaylen Jennings (Norwalk, Conn.) put the Hawks in the lead with a layup, but Sam Johnson retaliated with another layup, tieing the game at 50-50. Wasik landed a three to put the Hawks in the lead. Teammate Jennings followed with a jumper and three-pointer, advancing the Hawks to 58-50.
 
Josh McCourt (Lincoln, R.I.) landed a jumper assisted by Marini to bring the score to 63-54 at the five-minute mark.
 
Garrisson Duvivier (Brockton, Mass.) landed a three-point play, making it a five-point game, 70-65. Demers came in with the big three at 1:21 to bring the game within four, 68-72.
 
The Fighting Scots continued to push hard; Johnson landed a rebounded layup, the team now trailing by a mere two with 35 seconds left in the game.
 
Demers was fouled and landed one of his free throws to bring Gordon down by one, 72-71, six seconds left.
 
Wasik was fouled at the five second mark, he sank one shot putting the Hawks ahead by two, 73-71.
 
Demers attempted a half-court shot with a second left on the clock but missed, The Fighting Scots ultimately falling to the Hawks, 73-71.
 
Demers had an outstanding game offensively for Gordon with 25 total points, leading all players. Johnson came out with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
 
Wasik led the Hawks with 20 point, along with five assists, four steals, and four rebounds. Syska followed with 13 points, two rebounds, and two blocks. O'Brien also put in substantial effort with 11 points and six rebounds.
 
Johnson finished with a double-double for Gordon with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Demers finished with a game-high 25 points, while Duvivier added ten points, six assists, and six boards.
 
Roger Williams (4-3, 2-0 CCC) will attempt to take down opponent Western New England this Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Golden Bears' home courts. Gordon (3-3, 1-1 CCC) will play on the road again this Tuesday at 7 p.m. against the Lions of Eastern Nazarene.