(Henniker, N.H.)—Junior Irving Cato (New York, N.Y.) recorded a double-double scoring a game-high 15 points and grabbing 12 rebounds leading the visiting Roos past the New England College Pilgrims 69-55 Friday evening in game one of the NEC Tip-Off Tournament.

The Roos continued their impressive start to the season as they remained undefeated improving to 3-0. The loss drops the Pilgrims to 0-2 overall. SUNY Canton will face Lesley University in the championship game on Saturday at 3 p.m. and the Pilgrams will take on Berkeley College at 1 p.m.

SUNY Canton jumped out to an early 14-point lead going ahead 24-10 midway through the opening half. NEC would cut the lead to eight but the Kangaroos would shoot an impressive 58% from the field in the first and head into halftime up 43-27.

NEC used an 11-0 run early in the second half to cut Canton’s lead to 45-40 with 13:57 remaining to play, but the Kangaroos would answer with a 17-8 run of their own rebuilding their 14 point lead with just under three minutes remaining in the second half. Canton would hold off NEC in the final minutes finishing the game shooting 52% from the field and holding the Pilgrims to just 38% shooting for the evening, eventually cruising to the 69-55 victory.

Freshman Timothy Taylor (New York, N.Y.) and junior Ryan Lamica (Constable, N.Y.) each chipped in 13 points. Sophomore Scott Dixon (Brooklyn, N.Y.) dished out a game-high eight assists.

NEC was led by Robin Wilson and Spencer Marzouk who each had 14 points.

nine points.