BOSTON, Mass. – The Roger Williams University men's basketball team came up just short in a high-scoring non-conference match up Friday evening, falling 91-87 to Emmanuel College at the Jean Yawkey Center. The Hawks delivered a strong offensive performance, shooting 52.2 percent from the field and connecting on nine three-pointers, but a late second-half rally fell short as the Saints held on for the four-point victory.
Sliwinski and Miller Set the Pace with 48 Combined Points
The Hawks were led offensively by Jake Sliwinski (Long Beach Township, N.J.) and Finn Miller (Stamford, Conn.), who combined for 48 points. Sliwinski led all scorers with 25 points, shooting an impressive 11-of-14 from the floor while going a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. Miller followed with 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting, adding five rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Ashton Leclerc (Gorham, Maine) added 12 points, including two three-pointers, while Owen Boudria (Westport, Mass.) and Ryan Hammarlund (Southington, Conn.) each contributed eight points. Hammarlund also recorded five rebounds and three assists. Off the bench, Joey Dwyer chipped in eight points, including two three-pointers, while Connor Spinney added three points and two steals.
Hawks' Second-Half Rally Comes Up Just Short
Roger Williams came out strong, establishing an early 17-10 advantage in the opening half behind contributions from across the lineup. Emmanuel responded with a run of its own, eventually taking a 48-46 lead into the break.
The back-and-forth battle continued after halftime, with the Hawks reclaiming the lead at 62-60 following a Sliwinski three-pointer and a subsequent basket with 15:44 remaining. The Saints answered, however, gradually building their advantage and taking a 83-73 lead with just over four minutes to play.
Refusing to go away quietly, the Hawks mounted a late comeback effort. Boudria and Miller helped spark the rally, while Leclerc converted a pair of free throws to bring Roger Williams within four at 79-83. Miller added another basket before Sliwinski and Leclerc continued the push, cutting the deficit to 86-88 with 16 seconds remaining. Emmanuel came through at the free-throw line in the closing moments to secure the 91-87 victory.
Turnovers Fuel Hawks' Offense Despite Rebounding Disadvantage
The Hawks created opportunities throughout the contest by capitalizing on Emmanuel's mistakes, forcing 21 turnovers and converting them into 25 points. Roger Williams also finished with 10 steals and 16 assists while shooting 52.2 percent from the field, including 52.9 percent from three-point range.
Despite the strong offensive showing, Emmanuel held a 42-26 advantage on the glass and scored 18 second-chance points compared to four for the Hawks. The Saints were led by Noah Beaudet, who finished with 21 points, and Mahari Guerrier, who added 19 points and 12 rebounds.
What's Next?
The Hawks return home to Bristol, R.I., on Sunday, November 15, when they welcome Rivier University to the Campus Recreation Center Gymnasium. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
