WENHAM, Mass.—Gordon Men's Basketball played its most complete game of the season, which saw four starters in double-figures to notch an 82-65 win over a blistering Roger Williams squad. Sam Johnson (Chatham, Mass.) captured his 11th double double of the season to lead the way for the Fighting Scots.
Gordon improves its ledger to 9-6 overall and 6-2 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference. The Fighting Scots ended the Hawks' eight-game win streak in the process, leaving them at 6-2 in the CCC and 12-3 overall.
A battle ensued from the opening tip with neither team able to gain much control over the momentum early in regulation. Gordon started the game as they have the previous two, with a made three-pointer by Jake Haar (Huntington Beach, Calif.). Roger Williams matched the Scots at 7-7 just a few minutes later to set up a back and forth.
The Hawks eventually took over momentum on the back of leading scorer Austin Coene (Tyngsborough, Mass.), who scored eight consecutive points in a three-minute span and gave the team a 28-22 advantage.
Not to be outdone, Gordon's offense awoke to play things even at 35-35 before ending the half on a 7-0 run to secure the halftime lead. Noah Szilagyi (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) capped the stretch with a three in transition right in front of the NCAA logo by the visitors' bench.
Haar kicked off the scoring in the second half as well with a three in the corner and Gordon was off. The 10-0 run between the two halves put the Hawks down for good, as the visitors were never able to get closer than eight for the remainder.
The Fighting Scots worked the inside game in the second half, shooting a season-low two three-pointers for a half. Garrisson Duvivier (Brockton, Mass.) and Johnson were able to finish tough shots at the block to keep Gordon's lead in double-digits for most of the period. Duvivier finished with 20 points and six boards, while Johnson added 16 rebounds and 13 points.
Coene scored right at his season average for the Hawks with 21 points in 38 minutes. Conor O'Brien (Sharon, Mass.) showed an inside-outside game with 13 points and two triples. Nick Marini (Loudonville, N.Y.) had perhaps the most impressive game for the visitors with 12 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists at the guard position.
Jaren Yang (San Francisco, Calif.) had a season-high 19 points and a perfect 8-for-8 mark at the line. He also kept up his steady assist numbers with five. Haar had a workmanlike 15 points and kept his season shooting percentage above 60 percent.
Gordon took over the national lead in rebound margin by holding a 48-28 advantage over the Hawks. The Fighting Scots have outrebounded every opponent this season.
Roger Williams has another tough game on the horizon with Endicott coming to Bristol on Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m. Gordon rounds out its first-half schedule with Wentworth at the Bennett Center on Tuesday at 5:30.