FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 1, 2007

Rhode Island College Men’s Basketball Score Report

Providence, RI

1

2

Final

UMass Boston (1-5, 0-1)

31

39

70

^#24 Rhode Island College (4-1, 1-0)

44

37

81

RIC OPENS LEC SLATE WITH, 81-70, VICTORY OVER UMB
Lyons Posts Double-Double as Anchormen Improve to 4-1

            Providence, RI—No. 24 Rhode Island College rebounded from its first loss of the season in an 81-70 victory over UMass Boston Saturday afternoon at The Murray Center in collegiate men’s basketball action. The Anchormen up their record to 4-1 overall and open the Little East Conference schedule with a 1-0 mark. The Beacons suffer their third straight loss and fall to 1-5 overall and 0-1 in league play.

Junior center Wil Lyons (Warwick, RI), a transfer from the Community College of Rhode Island, was a force in the paint, scoring a team-high 16 points and grabbing a game-high 13 boards to go along with two blocks in the win. It was Rhode Island College Head Men’s Basketball Coach Bob Walsh’s 50^th career win (50-15).

Lyons was one of four Anchormen who reached double figures in scoring. Junior guard Cameron Stewart (Newport, RI), sophomore guard Carlos Brown (Lawrence, MA) and freshman guard Antone Gray (Providence, RI) scored 14, 13 and 12 points, respectively. Gray added three assists and a steal. Junior forward Kaseem Johnson (New Haven, CT) logged six points and six boards.

UMass Boston whittled a double-digit lead to under five points on three occasions, but the Anchormen were able to answer each time. The Beacons got as close as two points, 56-54, with 10:16 left in the second half, but a three-pointer by Stewart and layups by Gray and Johnson built the lead back up for good.

Rhode Island College shot 49 percent from the field in the game (27-for-55) and 78 percent from the charity stripe (21-for-27). The Beacons shot just 36 percent from the field (24-for-60) and 58 percent from the free throw line (14-for-24).

UMB senior forward Amigo Paniagua (Santiago, DR) led all scorers with 19 points and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds. Sophomore guard Aaron Jones (Boston, MA), who connected on his first five shots, netted 13 points.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will host Johnson and Wales on Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. The Beacons will return to action on Tuesday, Dec. 4 and host W.P.I. at 7:30 p.m.

 Junior forward Wil Lyons

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