DUDLEY, Mass. – The seventh-seeded Roger Williams University Men's Basketball team was eliminated from the Commonwealth Coast Conference Tournament Tuesday evening after falling to second-seeded Nichols College 78-80 in the CCC Quarterfinals.
 
Hawk Highlights
Drew Hart (Cheshire, Conn.): 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals
James Clarkson (Hanover, Mass.): 9 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists
JJ Pfohl (Trumbull, Conn.): 14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
Rich Pugliese (Middlebury, Conn.): 10 points, 6 rebounds,
 
For The Opponents
DeAnte Bruton (New London, Conn.): 36 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal
Jaekwon Spencer (Bristol, Conn.): 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 blocks, 2 steals
Matt Morrow (Leicester, Mass.): 13 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks
Jason O'Regan (Charlton, Mass.): 7 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 steal
 
How It Happened
Nichols was able to erase a 19-point second-half deficit and pull away from the Hawks in the closing seconds of the game.
 
A strong first-half shooting performance by Roger Williams helped the Hawks build a six-point first half lead. Roger Williams shot 51.6 from the field (16-for-31) and 46.7 percent from three-point range (7-for-15) to help get ahead of the Bison. The first half saw both teams go back and forth throughout most of the early, staying within one possession. The tide turned in Roger Williams' favor towards the end of the half.
 
With RWU holding on to a 24-22 lead, the Hawks pulled away from Nichols with a 15-6 run to take an 11-point lead with just under three minutes remaining in the half. Nichols was able to pull within three before Drew Hart knocked down a three on RWU's final possession for the six-point halftime lead.  
 
Roger Williams was able to go back up by double digits on a three-point by Rich Pugliese (51-41) two minutes into the half. RWU would continue to pour it up with a jumper by Pugliese giving RWU a 67-48 lead with 10:58 to play.
 
The Bison would not be deterred, pulling within five with under four minutes to play. RWU was able to hold a 78-70 lead with under a minute to play, but a deep three by DeAnte Bruton and a steal by Jaekwon Spencer helped keep Nichols in the game.
 
Nichols was able to force two turnovers in the final minute with Bruton scoring two pairs of free throws to make it a one-point game with 13 seconds remaining. JJ Pfohl was fouled with eight seconds left for a 1-and-1. He would miss the free throw with Nichols grabbing the rebound. Bruton made his way down the court and knock down an off-balance and-one layup to give Nichols an 80-78 lead. On the ensuing inbound, RWU's full court pass was too long out of bounds as the Bison escaped with the win.
 
What's Next
Roger Williams (15-11): Season Complete
Nichols (18-8): Thursday, February 26 vs. #6 Gordon @ 7:00pm