December 7, 2006

Bailey, Stewart Lift Men’s Basketball Over Salve Regina, 84-78

NEWPORT, R.I.—The Rhode Island College men’s basketball team won its second straight intra-state rivalry game of the week, downing Salve Regina University 84-78 this evening in non-conference action at the Rodgers Recreation Center. The Anchormen improved their overall record to 5-1, while the Seahawks slipped to 4-3.

            Earlier in the week, Rhode Island College was victorious at Johnson & Wales, 82-53.   

            The sophomore backcourt trio of Bobby Bailey (Fall River, Mass.), Cameron Stewart (Newport, R.I.), and Tirrell Hill (Bronx, N.Y.) accounted for the majority of Rhode Island College’s offense, registering a combined 51 points. Bailey registered a season-high 19 points, while Stewart and Hill added 18 and 14 points, respectively. Hill also handed out a team-high five assists. Senior forward Brian Stanko (Swansea, Mass.) recorded 13 points and pulled in seven rebounds, while classmate John Weir (Danbury, Conn.) also reached double figures with 10 points and three blocks.

            In a fairly evenly played first half, neither team was able to open a lead larger than seven points. The Seahawks held the advantage for the majority of the opening stanza behind the 13-point effort of junior guard Chris Goodridge (Merrimack, N.H.). Stanko was able to neutralize Goodridge’s offensive production with 13 points of his own, keeping the Anchormen within striking distance. The hosts took a 42-38 advantage into the locker room.      

            Rhode Island College regained the lead (47-46) at the 13:44 mark of the second stanza, when Hill knocked down a jumper. Both teams traded the advantage once more until Stewart put the Anchormen ahead for good with 10:03 remaining on the clock with one of his four three’s of the night. The visitors clamped down on the defensive end, limiting the hosts to just five points over the next 5:23 to balloon their advantage to 13 points. Weir keyed the defensive effort with two blocks, a rebound, while Bailey supplied the offensive punch with five of his 13 second half. Hill closed out the Anchormen’s second straight victory by converting on six-of-six from the charity stripe in the final 63 seconds.  

            Goodridge paced all scorers with a game-high 26 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, while sophomore guard Justin Woodworth (Ipswich, Mass.) chipped in with 13 points and a pair of assists for Salve Regina.

            Rhode Island College returns to the hardwood at 3 p.m. on Dec. 9, when the Anchormen travel to Little East rival Plymouth State University (5-3, 0-1).