Gray's Near Triple Double Not Enough in OT Loss to RWU

More news about: Rhode Island College

Bristol, R.I.—Senior guard Antone Gray (Providence, RI), who was playing his first game of the season, posted 16 points, dished out a career-high 12 assists and grabbed seven rebounds, but Roger Williams shocked Rhode Island College, 90-80, in an overtime game played at the Campus Recreation Center.

 

The Anchormen (7-3) were playing their first game in 25 days after being off for finals and Christmas. RIC had beaten the Hawks (8-4) five straight times prior to tonight's setback, including a 25-point, 84-59, victory at home last winter.

 

Junior forward Mason Choice (Newport, RI) led the way for RIC with a team-high 24 points and nine rebounds. Classmate center Mike Akinrola (Woonsocket, RI) contributed 20 points on 8-for-15 shooting.

 

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 sophomore guard Tahrike Carter (Brooklyn, NY) 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, CA) found reigning TCCC Player of the Week Pat Flanagan (Somerville, MA) 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 Gray hit a cutting Choice on the right side for the game-tying layup with 1.7 seconds left. Travis O'Dell (Brunswick, ME) 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, NY) 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-for-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, CA) led all reserves with nine points off the bench.

 

In upcoming action, RIC will resume Little East Conference action when it hosts longtime rival Keene State on Saturday, Jan. 8.