BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Men's Basketball team had a late rally come up just short against Nichols College Tuesday evening, as the Bison defeated the Hawks 96-86.
 
Hawk Highlights
Eli Harris: 22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists
Drew Hart: 20 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
EJ Nelson: 12 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal
Mac Annus: 9 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal
John Ah Kao: 9 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
 
For The Opponents
Matt Alectus: 28 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 3 steals
Jakigh Dottin: 20 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists
Tahmeen Dupree: 19 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 block, 1 steal
Jaekwon Spencer: 15 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 blocks, 1 steal
 
How It Happened
The Hawks and Bison went back and forth to begin the game, with the two sides trading layups and threes throughout the first half of the opening period. The lead changed hands nine times over the first seven minutes of play. John Ah Kao (Dumont, N.J.) gave the Hawks a brief 23-20 lead with a layup off the break, but Nichols would push the pace and answer with ten straight points to go up by seven with nine minutes left in the half. From there, the Bison managed to hold off the Hawks for the remainder of the period, not allowing RWU to tie the game back up.
 
Eli Harris (Falmouth, Mass.) was able to bring RWU within one with a layup with six minutes before halftime, but a barrage of threes by Nichols put the Bison up by 16 with two minutes to play. They would go into the break up 55-42.
 
Roger Williams would come out hot in the second half, with nine unanswered point to pull within three. Harris would finally regain the lead for the Hawks with a three to make it 62-60 with 12 minutes to go. Nichols responded with an 8-0 run to go back up by seven.
 
The Hawks later pulled within three (79-82) with 3:28 left in the game, but the Hawk offense stalled as they were held scoreless over the next three minutes. Nichols would build their lead to ten and would hold on for the win.
 
What's Next
Roger Williams (9-6, 6-4 CCC): Saturday, January 29 at Curry @ 3:00pm
Nichols (14-2, 7-2 CCC): Thursday, January 27 vs. Gordon @ 7:00pm