Statistics

BRISTOL, R.I. – The University of New England led by as many as 15 in the first half, but was unable to hang on against Roger Williams University in Saturday afternoon's Conference of New England matchup, with the Hawks climbing to back to earn an 87-81 victory.
 
Adrian Torres put together an outstanding afternoon, coming just shy of a triple-double with a game-high 20 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and five steals, along with becoming the program's 32nd 1,000-point scorer. Kha Cao Ra James compiled a double-double with 14 points and 10 boards.
 
Ryan Higgins and Finn Miller powered the Hawks (5-4, 3-0) with 19 points apiece, and Miller also pulled down a game-best 13 rebounds. Higgins knocked down four 3-pointers (4-for-10) and Phillip Sughrue was 3-for-3 as RWU rained down 12 triples, including nine in the first half.
 
Five of those first-half treys from the Hawks came in the final four minutes, after facing a 15-point deficit, allowing the hosts to put together a 16-5 run to trim UNE's lead to 47-43 entering the break.
 
The Nor'easters (5-5, 1-1) looked to pull away during a back-and-forth second half, holding a 72-65 edge with under seven minutes remaining, but Sughrue hit a 3-pointer with 2:30 remaining to cap off a 14-5 run and hand RWU a 79-77 lead. UNE tied it, 81-81, with a minute to go as James knocked down a pair of free throws, but Miller's bucket on the other hand gave the Hawks a lead they would not surrender.
 
Torres and Adam Lux were key in UNE's hot first-half start, both efficiently scoring in double figures over the opening 20 minutes. 12 of James' 14 points came in the second half, and Jayden Thornton was 3-for-5 from deep during the final frame to help the Nor'easters battle down the stretch.
 
UNE steps away from conference action Wednesday, Dec. 10 with a visit to Brandeis. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.