FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 2, 2008

Rhode Island College Men’s Basketball Score Report

Providence, RI

1

2

Final

Keene State (12-8, 5-4)

41

40

81

Rhode Island College (15-4, 7-2)

42

43

85

LYONS’ SECOND HALF LEADS RIC PAST OWLS, 85-81
Anchormen Retain Second Place in Physical Contest

            Providence, RI— The Rhode Island College men’s basketball team solidified their hold on second place in the Little East Conference by downing rival Keene State, 85-81, at The Murray Center on Saturday afternoon. RIC raises its record to 15-4 overall and 7-2 in the LEC, while the Owls slip to 12-8 overall and 5-4 in league action.

Keene State came out on fire, nailing four three-pointers to build a game-high 14-point advantage, 29-15, with 10:24 remaining in the first half. The Anchormen methodically chipped away at the lead, outscoring the Owls, 27-12, to take a 42-41 lead into halftime. RIC junior guard Tirrell Hill (Bronx, NY) and freshman backcourt mate Anthony Fortes (East Providence, RI) each logged nine first-half points.

Keene State stormed back to take a five-point lead, 69-64, on a junior forward Tyler Kathan (Ludlow, VT) three-pointer with 7:39 left in the contest. Junior center Wil Lyons (Warwick, RI) scored seven points and Fortes added two free throws during a 9-3 surge to take the lead back for good, 73-72, with 4:37 left to go.

Lyons converted a layup to put RIC up by five, 83-78, with 1:15 left, but KSC senior guard Anthony Licitra (Glastonbury, CT) hit a deep three to pull the Owls back within two nine seconds later.

RIC junior guard Bobby Bailey (Fall River, MA) converted two free throws with two seconds left in the game to seal the come-from-behind victory.

Lyons scored all 17 of his team-high points in the second half, shooting 7-for-11 from the field and 3-for-5 from the charity stripe. Bailey chipped in with 16 points and five steals, while Fortes and Hill scored 14 and 13 points, respectively.

Keene State had two players eclipse 20 points as senior forward Nick Drouin (Weare, NH) and Kathan scored 21 and 20, respectively. Drouin added 10 boards, while Kathan nearly missed a double-double with nine caroms.

The Owls outrebounded RIC by 14, 49-35, and the two squads combined for 46 fouls and 55 free throw attempts.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will play at No. 2 Amherst on Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. Keene State will host No. 5 UMass Dartmouth at Spaulding Gymnasium on Saturday Feb. 9 at 3 p.m.

Junior Wil Lyons

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