Vitko’s Late Heroics Propel Men’s Basketball Past Roger Williams, 76-74

BRISTOL, R.I. — The Endicott men's basketball team defeated Roger Williams, 76-74, in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action on Wednesday evening at the Recreation Center Gymnasium. 

Jeff Hill (Lynn, Mass.) paced the Gulls with 18 points (8-13 FG) and five boards. 

Jalen Echevarria (Lynn, Mass.) added 17 points, six rebounds, and two steals, while Ty Vitko (Dover N.H.) chipped in with 10 points, four rebounds, and four assists in 16 minutes off the bench.

Mark Barrett (Brookline, Mass.) rounded out the individual highlights with an all-around game that featured two points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and five steals.  

In the opening half, Endicott produced a 12–4 run to lead 40-35 with 1:05 remaining. The spurt was ignited by a pair of Echevarria free throws, a layup followed by a three-pointer on the next possession by Vitko, an Echevarria three-ball, and a Parker McLaren (Newburyport, Mass.) layup. 

The Gulls continued to expand their lead in the final stanza courtesy of an 11-2 stretch to balloon to their largest lead to 57-45 with 14:35 to play. The run was fueled by Hill (4), Cam Homsey (Windham, N.H.) (3), Barrett (2), and Stephen Fama (Lynnfield, Mass.) (2).

Roger Williams quickly answered with an 11-0 run to cut the Gulls' advantage to one (57-56) and forced an Endicott timeout with 11:10 remaining. 

In the closing two minutes, Roger Williams' Mac Annus converted a layup to make it a two-possession matchup (71-67), but, on the ensuing possession, Hill made a layup before Homsey sank to free throws to deadlock the contest at 71-71.

Roger Williams' Nate Lopes responded with two free throws during the final minute to jump ahead 73-71.

The Gulls fought back on the next possession with a deep right-wing three by Vitko, while Echevarria nailed two clutch free throws to eventually pick up a huge road conference victory late in the season.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• The Gulls have won five out of the six recent meetings against the Hawks dating back to 1/18/2020.
• Endicott outscored Roger Williams 40-16 in the pained area.
• The Gulls dominated in transition with a 19-5 edge in fast break points. 
• The Blue and Green outrebounded the Hawks, 51-35.
• The visitors were plus-14 on the offensive glass (15-1), resulting in 10-second chance points.
• The Endicott reserves outscored the Roger Williams substitutes, 29-11.

WHAT'S NEXT

Endicott (15-9, 11-6 CCC) returns home for the season finale versus Salve Regina Saturday, February 18 at 3:00 PM. Roger Williams (13-11, 10-7 CCC) hosts Nichols this Saturday at 3:00 PM. 

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(Photo Credit - Leanna Puccio '24)