BRISTOL, R.I. – Endicott College earned a significant road win Thursday evening over the Roger Williams University Men’s Basketball team, as the Gulls defeated their TCCC rival 55-52.
Both teams battled back and forth in the first half, with seven ties and 11 lead changes in the period. Neither team led by more than four points over the course of the first frame, yet Roger Williams would emerge with a 34-32 advantage going into the break.
In the first four minutes of the second half, Justin Martin (Cromwell, Conn.) put his stamp on the game, as he was responsible for two points, three rebounds, a blocked shot and a strong presence in the paint over the stretch. Endicott would ultimately take a 51-42 lead with 9:02 to play before the Hawks mounted a comeback to pull within three in the final two minutes.
Trailing 51-54 with 29 seconds to play, Madison put up a potential game-tying three from the right side, but missed left. The rebound found the hands of Taylor Petruccelli (Stratford, Conn.), who was fouled on the putback attempt. Petruccelli would miss the first but hit the second, to keep the Hawks within a possession. On the Gull inbound, it took the Hawks 11 seconds to get the foul, where Jaime D’Amaral (Scottsdale, Ariz.) would hit the first but miss the second, where O’Dell grabbed the board and gave RWU a chance to tie the game.
Down 52-55 with 15 seconds to play, Gary Madison (Waterbury, Conn.) eschewed the three-pointer on the Hawks’ possession and drove down the middle of the lane for a runner that back-rimmed out. Erik Callo (Southington, Conn.) grabbed the rebound and was fouled with two seconds left. He missed the front end of a 1-and-1, allowing the Hawks to grab the rebound and put up a desperation half-court trey to tie the game. The shot clanked off the left side of the backboard, as Endicott escaped with the win.
Aaron Karkow (Uncasville, Conn.) and Lance Greene (Dorchester, Mass.) both scored 12 points for Endicott in the game. Martin contributed eight points, eight rebounds, and five blocks off the bench.
Travis O'Dell (Brunswick, Maine) led the Hawks with 13 points and three steals. Petruccelli, Madison, and Pat Flanagan (Somerville, Mass.) all added eight points apiece.
Roger Williams (10-8, 2-4 TCCC) plays Colby-Sawyer College Saturday at home at 3:00 p.m., while Endicott (8-9, 3-3 TCCC) hosts Gordon College Saturday at 3:00 p.m. as well.