BRISTOL, R.I.-- The Roger Williams men's basketball team was downed by Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) opponent Nichols on Saturday afternoon in the Campus Rec Center gymnasium, 88-71, wrapping up regular season play for the Hawks. 

Prior to the start of the game, the team's two seniors were recognized by coaches, teammates, and family members. The Hawks' celebrated EJ Nelson (Essex Junction, Vt.) and Eli Harris (Falmouth, Mass.). 

Will MacDonald (York, Maine) was the top scorer for the Hawks, earning 28 points and adding 10 rebounds. Mac Annus (Belmont, Mass.) also scored in the double figures, having 13 points and two assists. Nate Lopes (Scituate, Mass.) scored five points, earned seven rebounds, and blocked three shots. 

On the Bison side, Tavon Jones and Tilquan Rucker each scored 17 points. Matthew Alectus and Quincy Ferebee also scored in double digits, earning 16 points apiece.  

Nichols was able to score from three layups before MacDonald put in a jump shot, adding the Hawks to the scoreboard. Following a free throw put in by Annus, MacDonald went on to score with two more jumpers. Annus then sank a three-pointer before a layup by John Ah Kao (Dumont, N.J.) knotted things up between the two teams, 16-16. Three-pointers in the first half were also scored by MacDonald and Philip Sughrue (Winchester, Mass.). The Hawks and Bison came to tie scores at three different points in the period, with the last one happening at 38-38 with five minutes left in the half. Nichols pulled ahead going into the second half, 49-41.  

Early into the second half, MacDonald put in a jumper before also scoring a three-pointer. The Hawks went on to score from four three-pointers in the second half, but were outscored 39-30. Roger Williams led Nichols in bench points, 16-14, and blocks, 4-3.  

Roger Williams (13-12, 10-8 CCC) will next play in the CCC Quarterfinals after earning the No. 6 seed in the CCC Tournament. The Hawks will travel to No. 3 Endicott for a 7 pm tilt on Tuesday, Feb. 21.