Box Score | RPI Athletics on Instagram

BRISTOL, R.I. - The Roger Williams University men's basketball team won the championship of the Courtyard by Marriott Tip-Off tournament, defeating Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), 70-59.
 
The Hawks entered the championship game after defeating Emmanuel College on Friday for their second win of the season. RPI, also 2-0 entering the game, looked to continue their success after a 22-point win over Framingham State University on Friday.
 
The Hawks won the tip-off and Jaylen Jennings drained a three on the first possession of the game. Tough defense by the Hawks prevented the Engineers from scoring in their first few possessions.

The Hawks went on a 9-0 run which forced RPI to take its first timeout. Rich Pugliese grabbed an and-one on a displacement foul in the corner after he made his three.
 
The Engineers scored their first points in the seventh minute on a jumper by Andreas Kontopidis.
 
Midway through the first half, the Hawks established a double-digit lead, making 60% of their field goals. The Hawks slowed their pace down on offense, taking almost the entire 30 seconds to put up a shot.
 
At the half, the Hawks led the Engineers 40-27. Kontopidis had nine points, six rebounds and one block in the first half. Austin Coene led all scorers with 12 points and Jennings followed close behind with 10. Three Hawks had three rebounds. Nick Marini led the home team with four assists. 
 
RPI grabbed the first score of the second half on a Kontopidis layup but Jennings responded with a three. The Hawks later grabbed a 21-point lead on Marini's open three.
 
The Engineers began to creep back in, but the Hawks still maintained a 15-point lead. The Hawks called a timeout to regroup.
 
The Engineers cut their deficit to 11 in the last two minutes of play. The Hawks hung on, however, and won the championship of the tournament they hosted.
 
Coene and Kontopidis led all scorers with 22 points. Kontopidis also pulled down 11 rebounds and Coene grabbed nine. Marini and Jennings both had five assists for the Hawks. Marcus Giese had three blocks in the loss.
 
The Hawks shot 48.3% in field goal territory. They also hit 11 out of 24 three-point attempts as a team. Pugliese hit four of six threes.
 
Kontopidis and Coene were named All-Tournament and Jennings was recognized as tournament MVP.
 
The Hawks host Wheaton College on Tuesday night and RPI travel to Albany to face The Sage Colleges that evening.
 
In the consolation game, Framingham State defeated Emmanuel, 74-62. The Saints and Rams were both looking for their first win of the season.