Roger Williams pulls away for CCC victory over Salve Regina

BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University men's basketball team pulled away late against Salve Regina University, defeating the Seahawks 88-74 and earning their 14th victory. 

The game started with a Seahawk jumper from Cameron Collins (Oakdale, Conn.) off an assist by Kevin Kelly (Valhalla, N.Y.). RWU came right back with a steal and an and-one from Conor O'Brien (Sharon, Mass.) The team's traded baskets as SRU regained the lead at 13:17 with a score of 12-10. The score would stay in favor of the Seahawks throughout the rest of the first half.

Austin Coene (Tyngsborough, Mass.) and Rodney Morton (Malden, Mass.) led each of their teams in the first half with Coene scoring 19 points and Morton with 16. The Seahawks were able to keep their offense going never letting RWU gain the upper hand. Later in the half, the Hawks were able to cut the lead to 35-36 on a 6-0 run lead by Coene. With 1.2 seconds left, Isaiah Bowman (Roxbury, Mass.) had an and-one for the Seahawks, extending their lead to 46-41.

Coene picked up where he left off with two free throws to start the second half. At 17:17, Nick Marini (Loudonville, N.Y.) assisted Coene in a three-pointer to tie the game 48-48. RWU gained their first lead of the half with a steal from JJ Pfohl (Trumbull, Conn.) and a dunk from Ian Carmichael (Atkinson, N.H.). With 14:19 left, Morton was able to cut RWU's lead to one with a three-pointer at 54-53. Yet, Coene immediately came back with a three, determined to keep the Hawks in the lead.

RWU kept its lead through the end of the second half with a 10-2 run capped off with a three-pointer from Jake Heaton (Shelton, Conn.). Coene scored an and-one to give the Hawks their first double-digit lead at 67-57. This lead continued as Rich Pugliese (Middlebury, Conn.) grabbed a rebound and dished it ahead to Coene for the layup, making the score 76-66. The Hawks sustained their lead with a victory of 88-74.

Coene led the Hawks with a career-high 41 points and added five rebounds. Pugliese contributed with 15 points. O'Brien and Marinie each finished with ten points and two steals.

Leading the Seahawks was Morton with 19 points. Kelly and Bowman each scored 12 for Salve Regina, while Kevin Mannix (Barrington, R.I.) finished with ten rebounds.

Roger Williams (14-6, 8-5 CCC) will travel to Wentworth on Saturday. Salve Regina (8-12, 5-8 CCC) will travel to Curry College on Saturday.