BRISTOL, R.I – The Roger Williams men's basketball team defeated Wheaton (MA) in dominant fashion, 96-69, on Tuesday afternoon, giving them their fourth win in a row heading into Thanksgiving break. The win gives the men their best five game start since the 19-20 season. 
 
It was a tail of two halves in the matchup, as Roger Williams held just a two-point lead over the Lyons heading into the break. Out of the half, the Hawks began to slowly take control, expanding their lead to double figures by the 14-minute mark. Wheaton did their best to limit the damage playing the Hawks even for the next four minutes, until the Hawks went on an 8-0 run, bringing the lead to 18 with just eight minutes to play. The deficit proved to be too large for the Lyons, with the Hawks closing out the matchup having outscored the opponent 53-28 in the second half.
 
In the matchup, Roger Williams shot 55% from the field and 40% from three-point distance, compared to the Lyons 47% from the field and 26% from three. Wheaton also turned the ball over 22 times to the Hawks eight.
 
Individually, junior Ty Higgins (New Marlborough, Mass.) led the way for the Hawks, scoring a game-high 25 points on 9-15 shooting from field, including six three-pointers. Senior captain Mac Annus (Belmont, Mass.) added in 17 of his own followed by 11 and 10 from Nate Lopes (Scituate, Mass.) and Phillip Sughrue, respectively. Lopes added five assists as well, tied for a career high. Sean Gogolin (Winchester, Mass.) chipped in nine points and three steals of his own in just nine minutes of play.
 
Roger Williams (4-1) will travel to Connecticut College on Sunday, Dec. 1 in their next matchup before opening up Conference of New England action at home against Wentworth on Dec. 4.