Bates' career-high 28 points helps Salve Regina def. Roger Williams

BRISTOL, R.I. – Salve Regina University men's basketball rolled to an 80-67 victory over Roger Williams University in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action in Bristol.

Salve Regina started the game strong, scoring the first five points of the game on baskets by Bryce Boggs (Hyde Park, Mass.) and Nicholas Bates (Danvers, Mass.). The Hawks trailed early on but continued to stay in the game.

The Seahawks were plagued by foul trouble through the first half, as the Hawks continued to hang tough. A three-pointer by Josh McCourt (Lincoln, R.I.) with 8:30 left in first half, just barely beating the shot clock, cut an 11-15 deficit to only one.

Four minutes later, McCourt scored four straight points to bring RWU back within two. Then with 4:20 remaining in the period Jaylen Jennings (Norwalk, Conn.) ties things up with a jump shot. On the next possession, Alex Puzone (North Haven, Conn.) scored a quick layup to give RWU its first lead of the game (25-23).

The Seahawks jump back into the lead on a four-point play by Chris O'Keefe coming down the other end. At 2:05, Jennings scores a three-pointer, once again tying the game at 28, but the Seahawks answer quickly with another basket leading the game by two.

With less than 30 seconds left Josh Syska (Peabody, Mass.) dropped in a layup to tie the game at 30, which was followed by Rodney Morton (Malden, Mass.) sinking a three-pointer to end the first half with a score of 33-30 in favor of the Seahawks.

The second half of the game was a very close battle. In the beginning of the final period both teams scored quick baskets.

At the 16:35 mark, McCourt quickly scored, with Jennings following with a layup. Salve then quickly answered with back-to-back three-pointers in less than 30 seconds by Bates and Barrett Hanlon (Hopkinton, Mass.) to lead by eight.

Andrew Wasik (Gainesville, Fla.) answered with a three-pointer, as did a Hawk tip-in by Conor O'Brien (Sharon, Mass.). Puzone drilled a three with 11:25 left to put the Hawks back on top 48-46. Two minutes later, Wasik sunk a jumper to give RWU a six-point lead (55-49), its largest of the game.

However, the Hawks would only score three points over the following six minutes, allowing Salve to go on a run and build a three-point lead (63-60). The Seahawks would extend the lead to eight with two minutes left and go 7-of-8 from the line at the end of the contest to come away with the win.

Puzone led the Hawks with 15 points along with three rebounds. Jennings contributed 14 points six rebounds, with McCourt scoring 12 points with three assists. Wasik added 11 points and five assists.

Bates led the Seahawks with 28 points, six rebounds, and two steals, while Hanlon and O'Keefe each scored 13 points. Adam Quinlan (E. Walpole, Mass.) finished with eight ponts, seven rebounds, and three blocks.

On Wednesday, Roger Williams (7-10, 5-5 CCC) faces Western New England at home, while Salve Regina (5-12, 2-8 CCC) welcomes Nichols College.