BRISTOL, R.I. (1/2/24) - The Nichols men's basketball dominated in the second half to defeat Roger Williams University, 98-77 in Commonwealth Coast Conference action on Tuesday night at the Campus Rec Center Gymnasium.  

The Bison have now claimed wins in consecutive games and improve to 8-3 (2-1 CCC) overall with the victory, while the Hawks drop to 4-7 (3-1 CCC) with the loss. 

Junior Deshaun Nettles scored his season-best point total to lead the offense for the Bison, recording 24 points with six rebounds and two assists. Seniors Mykel Derring and Tavon Jones each scored 23 and 20 points respectively in the effort, while freshman Jason Ofcarcik secured his first collegiate double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Junior Dominic Mello also scored in double-figures with 11 points and five rebounds. Nichols finished the night shooting 40-of-76 (52.6%) from the field and 8-of-17 (47.1%) from three range, both of which were season-high performances for the team. 

With each team finding consistent offensive success through the opening 5:30 of the first half, the score found itself deadlocked at 10-10 before the Bison embarked on an 8-0 run to claim an 18-10 lead. Both teams then continued to trade baskets on each end of the court, but Nichols remained in the lead with the help of some solid shooting from behind the arc by Derring, including a pair of threes nearing the five-minute mark to further the Bison lead to 38-28. To close out the half, Nichols pushed their lead to 12 points on a 5-0 run and ended it with a 45-38 lead in hand over the Hawks.

Mello opened the second half scoring for the Bison with a three pointer 1:13 in, which helped Nichols boost its lead to 52-41 through the two and a half minutes. To follow, Roger Williams went on to outscore the Bison by a 10-2 margin to whittle the guest lead down to 54-51. Nichols then regained their tempo and pulled back ahead by a 65-53 score with 11:41 left in the game, thanks to an 11-2 run guided by seven points from Nettles. From then onward, Nichols remained in complete control, and inflated their lead to as much as 20 points nearing the three-minute mark of the second half. As a result, the Bison rang in the new year with a 98-77 conference victory over Roger Williams.

On deck, the Bison will look to keep the streak going and play host to Gordon College (3-8, 1-2 CCC) this coming Thursday, January 4^th for a 7:30 PM tipoff at the Nichols Athletic Center.