FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 4, 2007

Rhode Island College Men’s Basketball Score Report

Providence, RI

1

2

Final

Johnson & Wales (1-2)

36

39

75

Rhode Island College (5-1)

41

41

82

GRAY & HILL’S FREE THROWS HELP RIC PAST JWU, 82-75
Lyons and Johnson Record Strong Performances

            Providence, RI—Rhode Island College freshman guard Antone Gray (Providence, RI) and junior guard Tirrell Hill (Bronx, NY) hit six and two free throws, respectively, in the final minute to lead the Anchormen past cross-city rival Johnson & Wales, 82-75, at The Murray Center on Tuesday evening.

The Anchormen built a game-high 12-point lead, 41-20, on a Hill three-pointer with 2:31 remaining in the first half before Johnson & Wales closed the gap. The Wildcats went on a 7-0 run, capped by a sophomore guard Darren Faust (Queens, NY) running three-pointer as time expired, to head into intermission trailing, 41-36.

Faust intercepted an in-bounds pass and made a layup to cut the deficit to one point, 51-50 with 15:09 to make the game a tight affair. RIC held off the Wildcats until senior forward Greg Samuels (Philadelphia, PA) drained a three-pointer and added a layup to put JWU up by three, 70-67, with 3:54 left.

A Gray jumper and two junior forward Wil Lyons’ (Warwick, RI) free throws put RIC on top for good with 3:09 left. The Wildcats fouled Gray three times and Hill once in the final minute, but RIC went a perfect 8-for-8 from the charity stripe to preserve the win.

Lyons and Hill led the Anchormen with 19 points apiece. Lyons shot 7-for-10 from the field, adding six rebounds. Hill was 6-for-10 from the field, and 5-for-6 from downtown, to go along with four boards and two steals. Junior forward Kaseem Johnson (New Haven, CT) posted a double-double with 15 points and 15 boards. Gray rounded out the RIC contingent in double figures with 10 points and a game-high seven assists.

JWU senior guard Japhet Kerr (Mt. Kisco, NY) led all scorers with 23 points. Faust added 18 points, five boards, three steals and two assists. Samuels posted 14 points and six boards.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will host intra-state rival Salve Regina on Thursday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. The Wildcats will play at Coast Guard on Dec. 6 at 7:30.

Freshman Guard Antone Gray

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