BIDDEFORD, Maine – The Roger Williams University Men's Basketball team punched its ticket to the Commonwealth Coast Conference Tournament with an 82-79 win over the University of New England Saturday afternoon.
Hawk Highlights
Drew Hart (Cheshire, Conn.): 18 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 steal
Eli Harris (Falmouth, Mass.): 18 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Rich Pugliese (Middlebury, Conn.): 12 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals
EJ Nelson (Essex Junction, Vt.): 7 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 block, 2 steals
For The Opponents
Alex Kravchuk (Mansfield, Conn.): 27 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Siddiq Canty (Dallas, Texas): 20 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 3 steals
Avery DeBrito (New Bedford, Mass.): 14 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals
Ray Evans (Troy, N.Y.): 6 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
How It Happened
The early part of the first half saw a tight game back and forth between both squads, as the two sides traded buckets. Then with the score tied at 12, UNE scored six straight points in less than a minute. That run would help the Nor'Easters build their lead to nine (23-14) with nine minutes left to halftime.
RWU would answer with a 10-0 run to go back up by one, but a jumper by Alex Kravchuk put UNE back on top. Roger Williams would later regain the lead and lead by as many as seven before halftime. The Nor'Easters would come back to make it a four-point game entering the second (38-42).
In the second half, Roger Williams began the period on a 14-6 run to go up by 12. The Hawks held on to the lead for most of the half, but UNE would able to make a comeback, pulling within three with four minutes remaining (69-72).
In the final seconds of the game, RWU led by three with UNE looking to tie the game. However,
Drew Hart was able to force a key turnover to allow the Hawks to maintain the lead and make their way to the CCC Tournament.
What's Next
Roger Williams (15-10, 7-9 CCC): Tuesday, February 25 at #2 Nichols (CCC Quarterfinals) @ 7:00pm
University of New England (13-12, 7-9 CCC): Season Complete
