AURORA, N.Y. – La Roche men's basketball used a second half surge to open the 2024 portion of the season with an 83-73 victory over Wells.

The first half was even throughout, as neither team led by more than three points at any point of the first 15 minutes of play.

Trailing 27-25 with 6:47 left, the Redhawks used a 7-0 run to gain a 32-27 lead, growing it to as many as seven at 36-29.

However, the Express used the final 3:27 to outscore La Roche 11-0 and took a 40-36 lead into halftime.

Out of the break, Wells still held the edge at 45-40, but over the next 1:34, an 8-0 Redhawks run gave the lead back to La Roche.

Another 8-0 run came after Wells regained the lead at 58-51 to match the game's largest lead.

The Express again chipped away, with a 7-0 run to knot the game at 58-58 with 11:55 remaining, but the Redhawks countered that run with one of 9-0 to lead 67-58.

With 7:12 left, La Roche took the first double-digit lead of the day at 73-62 and from that point, never allowed the edge to drop below nine points to seal the victory.

For the game, the Redhawks finished going 32-for-63 (50.8%) from the floor, but were 6-for-19 (31.6%) from three. From the foul line, the Redhawks capitalized on 13 of 20 attempts (65%).

On the other side, the Express finished 28-for-66 (44.4%) from the field, and 4-for-14 (28.6%) from deep, while going 13-for-26 (50%) from the foul line.

La Roche had five players in double figures, with Joe Starzynski scoring 20 to lead the way, going alongside six rebounds and three assists

Michael Brooks chipped in 13 with three rebounds, Trevor Smulik off the bench contributed 11 points, six rebounds and five assists, Dominic Eliott was a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor with 10 points and Bryce Epps added 10 of his own to go alongside a team high eight rebounds and three assists.

The next time the Redhawks take the floor, they host Hilbert on Saturday, Jan. 4. Opening tip against the Hawks is slated for 4 p.m.