FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 12, 2008

Rhode Island College Men’s Basketball Score Report

North Dartmouth, MA

1

2

Final

Rhode Island College (17-5, 9-2)

37

42

79

^#5 UMass Dartmouth (20-2, 9-2)

37

35

72

ANCHORMEN TIE FOR FIRST OVERALL IN LITTLE EAST
RIC Jumps Into LEC Driver’s Seat in, 79-72, Win over UMD

            North Dartmouth, MA--The Rhode Island College men’s basketball team downed fifth-ranked UMass Dartmouth, 79-72, in collegiate men’s basketball action at the Tripp Athletic Center on Tuesday evening. The Anchormen improve to 17-5 overall and 9-2 in the Little East Conference, while the Corsairs lose for the second straight game and see their record fall to 20-2 overall and 9-2 in the LEC.

Rhode Island College controls its own destiny heading into the final three regular season games. If RIC and UMD both win out, they will share the Little East Conference Regular Season Championship, but the Anchormen would hold homecourt advantage throughout the Little East Tournament.

Junior guard Cameron Stewart’s (Newport, RI) layup with 3:23 remaining allowed the visitors to take the lead for good. RIC, which saw a three-point lead evaporate in the final minutes of the two club’s previous meeting on Jan. 22, outscored the Corsairs, 13-5, in the final 3:30 to earn the victory. Stewart led RIC with 21 points on shooting 7-for-12 from the field, while adding five boards and three assists.

 Junior Guard Cameron Stewart

Junior center Wil Lyons (Warwick, RI) followed Stewart’s layup with a basket and free throw with 2:08 remaining, and then freshman guard Antone Gray (Providence, RI) and junior guard Tirrell Hill (Bronx, NY) each made free throws to give RIC a six-point lead. Senior guard A.J. Tavares (New Bedford, MA) hit a three-pointer with 33 seconds left to make it 73-70, but the Anchormen made six consecutive free throws before Tavares made the game’s final basket as time expired.

The Corsairs used a 10-2 run midway through the second half to build a 59-51 lead, but the Anchormen came back with an 11-2 run of their own that ended with Stewart’s layup, which gave them a 68-67 advantage with 3:23 left in the game.

Junior guard Bobby Bailey (Fall River, MA) posted 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists to lead the Anchormen. He was a stalwart on defense, coming away with a game-high five steals and recording one block. Lyons posted 13 points and eight boards, while Hill scored 11 points.

UMass Dartmouth senior center Dan Holbrook (Lexington, MA) led all scorers with 23 points and 17 rebounds for a double-double. Senior forward Cory Tynes (Springfield, MA) also posted a double-double with 21 points and 10 boards, while Tavares added 17 points.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will host Southern Maine on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 3 p.m.

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