BRISTOL, R.I. — The Roger Williams University Men's Basketball team closed out a tightly contested battle in thrilling fashion on Saturday evening, knocking down clutch free throws late to secure an 87–81 win over the University of New England at the Campus Recreation Center.

After trailing for much of the first half and facing a 15-point deficit late in the opening period, the Hawks rallied behind improved defense and timely three-point shooting. RWU trimmed the gap to four by halftime and continued that momentum into the second half as both teams traded big shots down the stretch. With the game tied multiple times in the final minutes, the Hawks made the final push, closing on a 6–0 run in the last 1:02 to seal the victory.

Finn Miller (Stamford, Conn.) delivered another standout all-around performance, finishing with 19 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists, including a key layup in the closing minute. Ryan Higgins (Boston, Mass.) matched Miller with 19 points of his own, sinking four threes and providing the spark RWU needed from the perimeter. Ryan Hammarlund (Southington, Conn.) added 16 points, seven steals, and two assists, while Philip Sughrue (Winchester, Mass.) was perfect from deep, going 3-for-3 from beyond the arc to score nine points in an efficient outing. Ashton Leclerc (Gorham, Maine) also contributed 10 points off the bench, knocking down two threes and staying perfect from the free-throw line.

RWU won the rebounding battle 41–37 and secured 13 offensive boards, converting them into 14 second-chance points. The Hawks also forced 16 UNE turnovers, turning them into 22 points — a key factor in flipping the game's momentum. Despite UNE shooting nearly 50 percent from the field, Roger Williams' defensive pressure and ability to capitalize in transition helped the Hawks finish strong when it mattered most.

With the 87–81 win, Roger Williams improves to 5–4 overall and 3-0 in the conference. The Hawks will look to carry their late-game execution and balanced scoring into their next match up at Fitchburg State, Dec 10, at 6:00 PM.