Career Bests From Harrison, Restall Not Enough As Men's Basketball Drops Close 86-83 Battle with Roger Williams

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (January 31, 2022) – The Western New England men's basketball team hosted the Roger Williams University Hawks on Monday night, leading by as many as 13 in the first half while Roger Williams was able to flip the script in the second half, leading by as many as 14, though finishing with a three-point win over Western New England, winning 86-83. 

Records:

• Western New England: 8-9 (6-5 CCC)
• Roger Williams: 10-6 (7-4 CCC)

How it Happened:

The Golden Bears got off to the start they were looking for to open the game as they looked to win their fourth straight CCC game. Kenny Flynn opened the scoring for the Golden Bears and Tim Restall would add the next four points for WNE to give the Golden Bears a 6-2 lead. WNE would cap off a 10-0 run through four minutes of play as Jake Harrison and Restall would convert underneath the bucker to go ahead by eight. Brian Geitner would cash in on a three-point shot with 14:25 to play in the first half to give Western New England a 13-point lead, which was their largest in the contest. Eli Harris and Drew Hart had their way against the WNE defense, scoring 31 of Roger Williams' 39 points in the half. Western New England would lead by eight at the midway point of the first half. 

Roger Williams would plant a comeback, after being down by 13 points in the half as both Hart and Harris would knock down shots for the Hawks to keep pace with Western New England. Harrison would grab a quick five points for WNE to stretch their lead from two to seven with 6:26 to play in the half. The Hawks would come back with seven points and tie the Golden Bears at the 4:17 marking of the half as Eli Harris was able to finish at the rim. WNE and RWU would trade baskets down the stretch, as Steevens Phelimond would convert on a triple from the corner to bring WNE up by four with 35 seconds left. A late three point shot from Harris would send the Golden Bears into the locker room with a one-point edge. At the half, Western New England shot 43.9% from the field, knocking down three buckets from deep. RWU shot a perfect 50.0% from the field, while converting on four three-point shots and all three free throws. WNE out rebounded Roger Williams 26-9 in the first half.

Western New England and Roger Williams would trade baskets through the first four minutes of the second half. Flynn, Restall, and Harrison would contribute on the offensive end for WNE. The Hawks would begin to pull away with a lead with 15 minutes to play in the contest Mac Annus would convert a deep three-point shot to give RWU their first lead since the 2-0 mark in the opening minutes of the game. Roger Williams would take a seven-point lead into the midway point of the second half where Andrew Byfield would take the Golden Bears off their cold streak and convert a basket to make the score 67-62 in favor of the Hawks. 

Roger Williams held an 11-point lead with 3:38 to play in the contest, though the Golden Bears fought back into the game after a made layup from Harrison, followed by a Geitner made shot to cut RWU's lead to seven. Restall would be tenacious on the boards all night long, grabbing 13 total rebounds. Restall would convert a basket and a free throw with 1:32 to play to give WNE a five-point deficit. Make baskets from Gavin Greene, Harrison, and Restall down the stretch would bring WNE to within one point of tying the Hawks. A missed free throw attempt by Harris gave WNE the ball looking for the lead with 14 seconds to play, though the Golden Bears were unable to capitalize on the offensive end, forcing RWU to make free throws on the other end of the court. EJ Nelson would convert two free throws with four seconds to play. Harrison would send up one final shot to tie the game, though the ball would roll off the backboard and onto the rim, though come off the left side of the rim and fall just short of tying the game. Roger Williams would escape with an 86-83 victory over the Golden Bears. 

Inside the Arc:

• Tim Restall collected a career high 28 points on the night while also grabbing 13 rebounds, good for his 7^th double-double of the season. Restall's previous career high was 18 points which came this season against the University of New England. 
• Jake Harrison also came through with a career high with 26 points on the night, breaking his previous career high in which, he collected just four nights ago at Endicott College (24 pts.)
• As a team, Western New England shot 42.9% from the field, while making just six of their 29 three-point shots. WNE converted five of their nine free-throw attempts in the loss. 
• Western New England collected 45 rebounds in the contest, 22 offensive and 23 defensive. Restall would collect nine offensive rebounds while Harrison ripped down five on each end, good for a double-double.
• Kenny Flynn dished out four assists to go along with five rebounds, two steals and a block in the contest. 
• Eli Harris led the way for RWU scoring 29 points on 12-17 shooting from the field.  Harris knocked down 4-5 three-point attempts and had two rebounds. Teammate Drew Hart collected 21 points on 9-13 shooting, including one three-point shot. Hart collected two rebounds and had one block in the game. Hart is now just ten points away from reaching the 1,000-point plateau at Roger Williams University. 
• Western New England converted 32 second chance points on the night, where RWU came away with just four. In total, Roger Williams shot 57.4% from the field as a team. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England hosts Endicott College in a rematch from their game just four nights ago in Beverly. Tip-off is set for 7:30 pm. 
• Roger Williams heads to Gordon College for a 7:30 pm tip on the same night.