BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Men's Basketball erased an 18-point deficit to come back and defeat Nichols College on Tuesday evening by a score of 79-75.
With the win, Roger Williams moves to 8-6 overall and 4-3 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference. Nichols has its three-game win streak snapped at three and falls to 5-9 (3-4 CCC).
Nichols held the lead throughout most of the game. After a jumper by Pat Flanagan (Somerville, Mass.) on the Hawks' opening possession, Ryan Sheehan (North Attleboro, Mass.) drained a three to give the Bison the lead.
The Hawks stayed within striking distance for the opening part of the first half. Yet Nichols turned a 26-22 advantage in a 38-23 lead in less than three minutes with a barrage of three-pointers, led by Craig Merrick (Ledyard, Conn.). Merrrick knocked down three consecutive treys to help Nichols to the 15-point lead.
Sheehan would give the Bison their largest lead of the game with a three to make it a 43-25 game with 5:09 left in the half. Nichols would eventually go into the break up by a 50-38 score.
After a Matt Langadas (Casco, Maine) to open the half, the Hawks scored seven straight to cut the deficit in half and pull within seven (45-52). Nichols continued to hold on to the edge, going back up by 13 on a layup by Marlon Bennett (Stratford, Conn.) with 11 minutes left (63-50). Yet Flanagan helped the Hawks climb their way back in the game, scoring six points as part of 10-0 run to come within three.
With Matt Grossbard (Pearl River, N.Y.) tied the game at 67 on a layup with 5:28 left, the Hawks earned their first lead since the opening minute on a layup by Joseph Henry (Medway, Mass.) to put RWU on top 70-69 with 2:40 to play. That basket was part of a 9-0 run for the Hawks that gave RWU a 76-69 lead with 52 seconds left.
RWU would hold on in the final minute, with Ryan Palumbo (Warwick, R.I.) sinking a pair of clutch free throws to make it a 79-75 game with 15 seconds left.
Flanagan sank his first 11 shots and finished with game-high 34 points on 12-of-14 shooting to go along with 12 rebounds for the Hawks. Palumbo added ten points, five rebounds, and four assists. Grossbard and Henry each added eight points, with Grossbard contributing four assists and Henry six rebounds.
Langadas set a new career high with 16 points in his first career start to go along with five rebounds. Merrick also set a new personal mark with 12 points on four three-pointers. Sheehan led the Bison with 19 points, while Bennett added 13 points. Michael Salis (Nashua, N.H.) had a game-high six assists.
On Thursday, Roger Williams hosts Western New England while Nichols hosts Salve Regina.