BRISTOL, R.I. – In an overtime thriller at the Campus Rec Center, the Roger Williams University Men's Basketball team edged Curry College, 89–88, on Wednesday night to earn their first conference win of the season. The Hawks and Colonels battled through 12 ties, 15 lead changes, and a wire-tight final minute before RWU sealed the victory at the free-throw line with two seconds remaining.
Finn Miller (Stamford, Conn.) delivered a standout 26-point performance, going 10-for-20 from the field and knocking down two clutch free throws with 0.2 seconds left in overtime to lift the Hawks ahead for good. Miller added seven rebounds, three steals, and three assists in 36 minutes.
RWU placed four scorers in double figures. Ryan Hammarlund (Southington, Conn.) finished with 14 points and four assists, including key buckets in overtime, while Ryan Higgins (Boston, Mass.) added 11 points, highlighted by a go-ahead three-pointer with 2:42 remaining in the extra period. Philip Sughrue (Winchester, Mass.) posted 10 points and eight rebounds, and Owen Boudria (Westport, Mass.) contributed 12 points off the bench in a strong reserve performance.
The Hawks shot 41.3 percent from the field and made six three-pointers, pushing the tempo to rack up 20 fastbreak points and 22 points off turnovers.
Curry countered with a dominant night from Jake Bernardo, who poured in 23 points with 12 rebounds and five assists. Manny Hidalgo added 17 points, while Tommy Mallinson scored 14, going 9-for-10 from the free-throw line. The Colonels shot an efficient 55.2 percent overall but were held to just 1-for-11 from beyond the arc.
After both teams entered halftime tied 39–39, the second half mirrored the first—back and forth with no lead larger than six. RWU trailed 87–86 late in overtime before Isaiah Andino's layup put Curry ahead 88–87 with 14 seconds remaining. On the final possession, the Hawks worked the ball to Miller, who drew a foul and calmly knocked down both free throws with 0.2 seconds on the clock, giving RWU the decisive edge.
The Hawks (1-3, 1-0 CNE) return to action on Saturday playing Framingham State at home at 1:00 PM.
