Balanced Scoring Helps Men’s Basketball Fly By Roger Williams, 82-64

BOSTON – Suffolk used a balanced scoring effort with five Rams reaching double figures to pull away in the second half and cruise past Roger Williams, 82-64, in Conference of New England (CNE) action Wednesday evening at Smith Court.

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 82 | Roger Williams 64
RECORDS: Suffolk (9-6, 5-1 CNE) | Roger Williams (9-7, 5-2 CNE)  

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Five points apiece from Nick Verdile and James Jones gave Suffolk an early 12-9 edge before Roger Williams answered with an 8-0 run to take a 17-12 lead at the 14:11 mark of the first half.
• After a back-and-forth stretch, the Rams surged ahead 27-24 with a 10-0 run, highlighted by eight straight points from Jones. Suffolk held RWU scoreless for 5:05 during the extended spurt.
• The Hawks snapped the drought with three consecutive three-pointers to reclaim a 39-37 advantage heading into halftime.
• Suffolk opened the second half on a 7-0 run behind three different scorers, forcing a RWU timeout at 17:21. The teams traded baskets over the next few possessions, with the Rams holding a 59-53 lead.
• The blue-and-gold took control down the stretch, closing on a 23-11 run fueled by eight points from Harrison Neil to secure the 82-64 victory.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Roger Williams was limited to 42.9% shooting from the floor, while Suffolk connected at a 55.4% clip.
• Suffolk controlled the glass with a 36-26 rebounding advantage and won the turnover battle, 11-8.
• The Rams held decisive edges in points off turnovers (19-4), points in the paint (44-26), fast-break points (12-6), and bench scoring (17-16).
• Jones led Suffolk offensively with 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting, adding seven rebounds and three steals.
• Neil provided a spark off the bench, shooting 7-of-11 en route to 17 points.
• Verdile finished with 16 points to go along with five rebounds and four assists.
• Greg Keane filled the stat sheet with 12 points, six rebounds, and four blocks.
• Connor Strickland rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10 points, six rebounds, and four assists. 

NOTEWORTHY 

• Suffolk now holds a 12-10 edge in the all-time series versus the Hawks.
• The blue-and-gold moved to 7-4 at home against RWU.
• Under head coach Jeff Juron, Suffolk is 7-5 in games against the Hawks.
• Declan Davis recorded a personal best three assists.
• Hatcher Nordquist notched a career-high three steals.
• Strickland tied a career best four assists. 

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk heads back on the road this weekend for a marquee CNE matchup against league-leading Endicott on Saturday, Jan. 17, with tip-off scheduled for 3:00 p.m.