December 5, 2006

RIC Overpowers Johnson & Wales, 82-53

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Sophomore guard Cameron Stewart (Rogers/Newport, R.I.) scored a team-high 13 points as Rhode Island College overpowered Johnson & Wales, 82-53, in non-conference men’s basketball action this evening at the Harborside Recreation and Athletic Center. The Anchormen showcased a well-balanced attack, with 13 student-athletes cracking the scoring column.

            Rhode Island College (4-1) had three student-athletes reach double figures in scoring. Stewart paced the Anchormen by shooting five-of-eight from the field, including three-of-five from behind the arc, to post his third consecutive game with at least 11 points. Classmate Tirrell Hill (All Hallows/Bronx, N.Y.) and senior forward Brian Stanko (Joseph Case/Swansea, Mass.) each registered 10 points.

            Johnson & Wales (1-4) opened the scoring with a jumper, but Rhode Island College responded with a 20-5 surge to take control of the contest. Hill and Stanko each drained a pair of three-pointers, while senior guard Kinsey Durgin (Telstar/Greenwood, Maine) added another one as the Anchormen converted on five of their first six attempts from long range. Rhode Island College built a 19-point lead with 5:12 remaining in the half, before taking a 35-19 advantage into the locker room.

            The Wildcats tried to claw back into the contest in the opening stages of the second stanza with a 13-8 run, cutting the visitors lead to 43-32 with 13:55 remaining. The Anchormen would not let the hosts get any closer as they responded with a 13-4 surge over the next five minutes to balloon their lead to 20 points. Rhode Island College opened a 31-point advantage with just 2:10 remaining in regulation to cruise to an 82-53 victory.    

            The Anchormen dominated nearly all the statistical categories: field goal percentage (49.1 vs. 32.8), free throw percentage (68.2 vs. 60.0), assists (23-12), steals (12-8), and turnovers caused (24-17).  

            Rhode Island College returns to the hardwood at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 7, when the Anchormen travel to intra-state rival Salve Regina University.