NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Roger Williams University Men's Basketball team faced the Camels of Connecticut College, falling 81-68 to in a non-conference matchup at the Luce Field House on Saturday afternoon.
Finn Miller led the Hawks with 19 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, maintaining strong offensive consistency throughout the game. Mac Annus contributed 15 points, and Nate Lopes added 13 points, including two key three-pointers. Despite these efforts, Roger Williams struggled to overcome Connecticut College's second-half surge.
The Camels were propelled by a balanced attack, led by Elias Espinosa, who recorded a team-high 16 points, including two three-pointers. Cam Schainfeld and Garrett Clar each added 14 points, with Dylan Watson contributing 13 points and nine rebounds. Connecticut College's strong presence on the boards, particularly their 18 offensive rebounds, gave them a decisive 52-32 edge in points in the paint.
RWU started the game on fire, quickly building a 7-0 lead thanks to a layup and three-pointer by Lopes and a jumper by Miller. This momentum carried them to an early 22-8 lead at the 12:51 mark, their largest of the game, as Miller and Lopes continued to shine. Connecticut College responded with a resilient 12-3 run, powered by buckets from Schainfeld and Clar, to cut the deficit to 25-20. The Hawks managed to hold onto a slim 33-31 advantage heading into halftime.
The second half, however, belonged to Connecticut College. The Camels opened with a quick 6-0 run, featuring back-to-back baskets by Watson, to take their first lead of the game at 37-35 with 18:39 left. Roger Williams briefly tied it up at 41-41 following a clutch three-pointer from Annus, but the Camels stormed back with a decisive 15-4 run over the next six minutes. Elias Espinosa, who finished with a team-high 16 points, ignited the stretch with a layup and a three-pointer, helping Connecticut College push their lead to double digits at 56-46.
The Hawks fought valiantly, trimming the deficit to 67-55 with 6:21 remaining after Ty Higgins hit a three-pointer, but the Camels quickly responded. Watson and Schainfeld delivered key baskets during a 10-3 spurt that extended the lead to 75-57 at the 3:52 mark, effectively sealing the game. Roger Williams hit a few late three-pointers from Higgins and Miller but could not overcome the deficit.
The Hawks will begin Conference of New England play on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 pm against Wentworth. The Hawks will then be on the road to take on CNE foe Nichols on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 3:30 pm.
