BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Men's Basketball team suffered a heartbreaking 84–83 loss to Endicott on Tuesday night, as the Gulls scored in the final seconds. RWU led for nearly the entire game but could not hold on in the closing moments of the tightly contested Conference of New England (CNE) matchup.
Roger Williams came out strong and controlled the opening half, shooting 51.7 percent from the field in the half and attacking the paint effectively, taking a 45-42 lead into the break. The Hawks continued to execute offensively in the second half, matching Endicott basket for basket while maintaining their edge.
RWU finished the game shooting 50.0 percent overall from the field and an efficient 42.1 percent from three-point range, while converting 88.2 percent from the free-throw line. Despite being out-rebounded 35–32, Roger Williams controlled the interior with a 42–34 advantage in points in the paint and added 18 points off turnovers.
Endicott stayed within striking distance behind second-chance opportunities, scoring 15 points off offensive rebounds, and capitalized late in the second half. After trailing by double digits earlier, the Gulls took their only lead of the game at 84–83 with two seconds remaining, sealing the one-point victory.
Ryan Hammarlund (Southington, Conn.) led the Hawks with 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting, adding three rebounds and two assists. Ashton Leclerc (Gorham, Maine) followed with 17 points, shooting 50.0 percent from the floor and 42.9 percent from beyond the arc, while Finn Miller (Stamford, Conn.) posted a double-double with 15 points and a team-high 11 rebounds.
For the Gulls, Marcus Montagnino lead the team, recording a double-double with 29 points and 11 rebounds. Matt Boen posted 17 points and four rebounds with a block and two steals, while Caden Sullivan put up 16 points and scooped up four rebounds and two steals.
Roger Williams (11-10, 7-5 CNE) will be back in action at Western New England on Wednesday, Feb. 11 before hosting Gordon for senior day on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 3:00 pm in the Campus Recreation Center. Endicott (19-1, 11-0 CNE) will host JWU on Saturday, Feb. 7 before heading to UNE on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
