BRISTOL, R.I. — The Roger Williams University men's basketball team jumped out to an early lead against Salve Regina, in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action, and never looked back, downing the Seahawks, 85-75.
 
The Hawks bench erupted for 37 points, while scoring 20 points to the Seahawks 13. Salve Regina scored 15 points off of second chance points, while playing the Hawks to an even 38-38 draw in points in the paint.
 
The Hawks had six players in double-figures in the matchup, with Nate Lopes (Scituate, Mass.) and Sean Gogolin (Winchester, Mass.) each scoring 15 points.  Lopes was tied for a team-high six rebounds, while dishing out four assists for the Hawks. Max Manjos (Monroe, Conn.) had 12 points knocking down 4-of-9 shots from the field, with Ty Higgins (New Marlborough, Mass.) scoring 12 points off the bench. Mac Annus (Belmont, Mass.) had 11 points, with six rebounds, and a team-high five assists.
 
Salve Regina opened up scoring in the matchup with Mikey Spencer finishing a layup. Lopes then came down the field two possessions later, knocking down a triple. With the Hawks leading by five with 11:09 remaining in the half, Gogolin knocked down a three, and sparked a stretch of nine straight points. At the half Roger Williams led by 11 at the halftime break.
 
The Hawks expanded their lead to 20 with 11:02 remaining in the second half, but the Seahawks were able to hang around, cutting into the lead. The Seahawks were able to cut down the lead to 10 before the end of the contest.
 
Roger Williams (8-4, 5-0 CCC) will face Gordon on Saturday, Jan. 7 at 3 pm in Wenham, Mass. in a CCC matchup. The Hawks will then host CCC foe Western New England.  Endicott will then host Saturday, Jan. 14 at 3 pm.