FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 15, 2006

Rhode Island College Men’s Basketball Score Report

Providence, RI

1

2

Final

Springfield (3-7)

33

32

65

Rhode Island College (8-1)

28

45

73

LONG RANGE SHOOTING HELPS ANCHORMEN ERASE 12-POINT DEFICIT TO DOWN PRIDE, 73-65
St. Ours’ Four Treys Help RIC to Best Start in 14 Years

     Providence, RI—Rhode Island College won its fifth straight game and improved to 8-1 in a 73-65 win over Springfield College on Friday evening. The Anchormen, who are off to their best start in 14 years, were led by sophomore guard Matt St. Ours’ (West Greenwich, RI) three second half three-pointers and a career-high 12 points in a comeback win over the Pride.

The Anchormen turned the ball over 13 times in the first half and shot just 20 percent (4-for-20) from downtown, trailing 33-28, heading into halftime. Springfield kept the pressure up in the second half, opening up a 12-point lead, 50-38, at the 12:48 mark. The Anchormen went on a 16-0 run, keyed by two treys by sophomore Cameron Stewart (Newport, RI) and three-pointers by St. Ours and senior Kamari Williams (Springfield, MA) to take the lead 54-50 with 8:29 left in the game.

A layup by Stewart at 5:28 left capped a 23-4 run by the Anchormen and gave RIC a 61-54 advantage it would never relinquish. The Anchormen shot 8-for-15 from three-point land in the second half to rally past the Pride.

Stewart led all RIC scorers with 19 points, including shooting 3-for-5 from downtown. He also added five boards, three assists and a steal. St. Ours was lethal as well with his game-high four baskets from long range. Senior center Anthony Pierlioni (Plainville, CT) had 12 points and nine boards, while senior guard Kinsey Durgin (Greenwood, ME) had 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block.  Sophomore guard Bobby Bailey (Fall River, MA) posted four blocks and five boards.

The Pride were led by freshman forward Pat Crean (Sleepy Hollow, NY) who scored a career-high 22 points to go along with eight boards and two steals. Freshman forward Ryan Blackmon (Stamford, CT) had 16 points, while junior guard Jamaal Gibbs (Norwalk, CT) registered 13 points in a losing effort.

The Pride, who have lost six of their last seven games, suffer their fourth consecutive defeat.

Both Springfield and Rhode Island College are off for finals and the holidays. The Anchormen will resume the season on Thursday, Jan. 4 when RIC hosts Bridgewater State at 6 p.m.

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