Statistics

BRISTOL, R.I. -- After seeing a double-digit lead reduced to just two (80-78), a three-pointer from Philip Sughrue with 1:50 remaining helped Roger Williams University secure a 91-82 decision against the University of New England in a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) men's basketball contest at the Campus Rec Center on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 13).

Adrian Torres hit a triple with 46 seconds left to keep the Nor'easters within striking distance (85-82), but the Hawks made their free throws to cap the result. RWU (8-7) maintains a share of the top spot in the CCC standings at 6-1, while UNE slips back to 5-10 overall (0-7 CCC).

Mac Annus guided Roger Williams with 21 points, and John Ah Kao supplied 17, as did Sughrue. Sean Gogolin had 13 points, five blocks, and three steals. Nate Lopes added a game-high 12 rebounds.

For the Nor'easters, Adam Lux led all players with 22 points on top of six boards. Torres tacked on 20 points with six caroms, and Jack Pyzynski contributed 19 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Kha Cao Ra James chipped in with six points and 11 rebounds.

After four lead-changes in the early going of the 1st half, the Hawks put together a 23-8 stretch to go up 44-29. RWU made 8-of-12 field goals during the span, and UNE went 4-for-14 -- a reflection of the gap in percentages through 20 minutes (53%-39%).

Torres scored the next seven in less than a minute, though, and the spread was 46-36 at halftime.

Pyzynski and Lux fueled a spurt to start the 2nd that brought the Nor'easters even with the hosts at 52-all, only to have Roger Williams score 18 of the ensuing 22 and extend the gap to 70-56. It was still in the teens (79-66) inside the final five minutes, and, while UNE pushed back with a 12-1 run in 2:33, the deficit was just a little too wide to overcome.

The Nor'easters will be at home on Wednesday (7:30 p.m.) to face Curry College.