NORTON, Mass. – Junior forward Aaron Williams (Springfield, Mass.) became the first player in school history to score at least 34 points and grab at least 17 rebounds in the same game in leading the Wheaton College (Mass.) men's basketball team to a 117-98 victory over visiting Fisher College this evening at Emerson Gymnasium on the campus of Wheaton in Norton, Mass. The Lyons improve to 1-2 in their home opener, while the Falcons fall to 0-2.

Wheaton's point total ranks as the second-most in program history and the most in a non-overtime game for the Norton school.  

The Lyons made a living at the free throw line converting 30 of 40 attempts for the seventh-most makes from the charity stripe in school history. Wheaton shot a staggering 62.9% (39-62) from the floor for the third-most accurate mark in school annals, including 52.9% (9-17) from three-point range. The Lyons performed well on the defensive side of the court as well, holding their guests to just 37.8% (34-90) shooting. Wheaton was hampered by 21 turnovers that resulted in a 21-10 scoring advantage for the Falcons in points off turnovers, but the Lyons' hot shooting was too much for Fisher to overcome.

Williams' 17 boards rank as the eighth-most in a game at Wheaton. He was 13-16 from the floor for a mind-boggling .813 field goal percentage for the game and his field goal total ranks as the seventh-highest in school annals. The six-foot, five-inch post player knocked down a pair of threes in addition to handing out an assist and making a steal in 28 minutes of action. Junior guard Alex Carlisle (Saint Johnsbury, Vt.) enjoyed an outstanding night himself, netting 34 points, after scoring 35 just five days prior. The shooting guard was 15-19 from the free throw line to stand fourth on the school's all-time list for made free throws in a game and matched his career high with seven assists. He also added five rebounds and a pair of steals. Junior forward Patrick Oed (The Woodlands, Texas) and junior guard Marckenley Lima (Roslindale, Mass.) each established career-highs with 13 points apiece and both added three rebounds, while Lima chipped in three assists and two steals as well. 

First year guard Ke'Andre Penceal (Coram, N.Y.) led the Falcons with 26 points to go with seven rebounds, two assists and three steals, while sophomore guard Kyle Butler-Gaffney (Liverpool, N.Y.) netted 18 points, pulled down eight boards, handed out eight assists and came up with five steals. Senior forward Tanner Hoffman (Scottsdale, Ariz.) contributed with 12 points, eight rebounds and three assists. 

Penceal knocked down a jumper with 16:17 to play in the second half to give Fisher a 62-60 lead, but it was its last advantage of the game. The Lyons roared back with 17 unanswered points, including a six-point possession that saw Wheaton score three from the free throw line via an intentional breakaway foul and a bench technical foul combined with a three-pointer from Carlisle. Oed capped the run with a jumper in the paint for two of his nine points during the run to give the Lyons a comfortable 77-62 lead with 13:16 showing on the second half clock. 

The Falcons made it a three-possession game following a Penceal trifecta with 4:13 remaining in the game and a 102-93 score, but it was as close as they would get the rest of the way. Wheaton closed out the high-scoring affair with a 15-5 run and led by as many as 22 points, before settling for the 117-98 final. 

The Lyons took an early 21-9 lead with 13:54 to go in the opening half, paced by 12 points from Carlisle. Fisher scored nine of the next 11 points to close to within 23-18 after Penceal canned one of his four three-pointers in the game. Wheaton later took a 12-point lead after Lima drained a three-ball to make it 39-27 with 7:12 showing. The Falcons took their first lead of the night when junior guard Goddy Marc (West Orange, N.J.) knocked down one of two trifectas to fuel an 18-5 stretch to give the visitors a 45-44 edge with 2:44 to play in the half. The Lyons scored six of the final eight points to take a 50-47 lead at the intermission. 

The teams traded the lead three times early in the second half, before Fisher sat with a 62-60 margin.

Wheaton returns to action on Saturday, November 13 when it hosts Wentworth Institute of Technology at 1:00 p.m., while the Falcons travel to Schuylkill, Pa. to take on Pennsylvania State University-Schuylkill on November 12 at 6:00 p.m.