AMHERST, NY – Junior Keonjay Carter scored 25 points while junior Khalik Gardner and freshman Jaden Battle each came off the bench to score 18 points each for the Roberts Wesleyan University Men's Basketball team but the Redhawks struggled inside and dropped a 107-86 decision to Saint Anselm College Friday night in the first round of the East Region Challenge Tournament at Daemen University.

Carter was nearly unstoppable on the offensive end of the court with a team-leading 25 points on 8-for-12 shooting from the field and a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line. Gardner was 7-for-14 from the field and Battle was 6-for-8 including 5-for-6 from three-point range to lead the offense.

The Redhawks (0-1) struggled rebounding with just 16 total rebounds in the contest. Saint Anselm (1-0) grabbed 41 rebounds including 20 offensive boards and scored 54 second-chance points.

Roberts battled back from an early deficit to trim the lead to five points on a pair of Carter free throws with 2:15 left in the first half but the Hawks rallied to score the final six points of the period to take a 48-37 lead into the halftime break.

Roberts will play Felician University in the second game of the Tournament at noon Saturday before opening the home schedule Tuesday night against Mansfield University.