BRISTOL, R.I. – A strong overtime performance by the Roger Williams University Men's Basketball helped the Hawks to a thrilling overtime win over crosstown rival Rhode Island College Tuesday evening, winning 90-80. The win for RWU snaps a five-game losing streak to Rhode Island College and marks the team's first win over RIC since an 80-73 victory back on December 4, 2004.
The Anchormen were able to force overtime due to their play over the final minutes of the second half. Trailing for most of the period, RIC gained its first lead since the 14:49 mark on a Tahrike Carter (Brooklyn, N.Y.) layup to make it a 64-63 game with 2:04 to play. The Anchormen would hold on to the lead until 17 seconds left, when Corey Fava (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) found reigning TCCC Player of the Week Pat Flanagan (Somerville, Mass.) in the post for an and-one layup. Flanagan would convert the free throw to put RWU on top by two.
On the final RIC possession, the Anchormen spread the floor, working for the final shot when Antone Gray (Providence, R.I.) hit a cutting Mason Choice (Newport, R.I.) on the right side for the game-tying layup with 1.7 seconds left. Travis O'Dell (Brunswick, Maine) heaved a three-quarters-court shot at the buzzer that just bounced off the front of the rim to send the game into OT.
Matt Grossbard (Pearl River, N.Y.) sank a three 18 seconds into overtime for the Hawks' first bucket of the frame. His basket sparked a 10-0 RWU run in the extra period, while the Anchormen were held scoreless until 1:54 left in the frame. RIC opened overtime 0-6 from the field and were unable to come closer than seven as the Hawks held on for the win.
The Hawks' were helped in large part to blistering shooting from three point range throughout the game, primarily in the first half. The Hawks shot 10-of-17 (58.8%) from downtown, including opening the game 5-for-6 from behind the arc.
To go along with his team-high seven assists, Fava scored a career-high 24 points for RWU on 7-of-9 shooting while going a perfect 5-of-5 from three-point range. Petruccelli finished with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Flanagan added 12 points, six boards, and three blocks. Tom Rafael (Ladera Ranch, Calif.) led all reserves with nine points off the bench.
Choice finished with 24 points for the Anchormen, along with nine boards and three assists, while Mike Akinrola (Woonsocket, R.I.) scored 20 with a pair of blocks. Gray stuffed up the stat sheet and nearly recorded a triple-double, finished with 16 points, 12 assists, and seven rebounds.
Roger Williams (8-4) opens up Commonwealth Coast Conference play Saturday with a 2:00 p.m. road game against Nichols College, while Rhode Island College (7-3) hosts Keene State College Saturday at 3:00 pm.