RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE DOWNS UMASS DARTMOUTH, 78-71
Balanced Attack Gives RIC 15th Win of the Season

NORTH DARTMOUTH, MA - The Rhode Island College men's basketball team led from the opening tip to the final buzzer as the Anchormen registered their ninth road victory, defeating the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 78-71, this evening in Little East Conference action at the Tripp Athletic Center.

Rhode Island College (15-2, 6-2 LEC) limited the Corsairs (9-9, 4-4) to just one basket over a seven minute and 12 second stretch in the second half to open a 12-point advantage (55-43) with 9 minutes and 33 seconds remaining in regulation. During the surge, the Anchormen were led offensively by senior forward Brian Stanko's (Swansea, MA) six points and sophomore guard Bobby Bailey's (Fall River, MA) four points, including a dunk,. Senior guard Kinsey Durgin (Greenwood, ME) gave Rhode Island College its largest lead of the contest, 67-52, on a layup with just under five minutes remaining.

UMass Dartmouth responded with a late 11-3 run to cut the deficit to 70-63 with just over two minutes to play with a pair of three-pointers and a layup. Sophomore forward Kaseem Johnson (New Haven, CT) and Bailey dashed all hopes of a comeback with consecutive driving layups, while the Anchormen also converted on four free throws in the final 27 seconds to preserve their sixth conference victory..

Rhode Island College started off quickly, jumping out to a 19-9 lead with 14:25 remaining in the half. The Anchormen would take a four-point advantage (35-31) into the locker room.

Johnson and Bailey each scored 13 points to paced the visitors, while Cameron Stewart (Newport, R.I.) and Durgin added 12 points apiece. Durgin pulled in seven rebounds as the Rhode Island College held a 10-rebound advantage on the boards (43-33).  

Rhode Island College returns to action at 3 p.m. on Jan. 27, when the Anchormen host conference foe Plymouth State University (8-11, 1-7) at The Murray Center.

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