Nicklas Heminger
Sports Editor
Rhode Island College Men’s Basketball team continued with Little East Conference play last week as they took on the University of Southern Maine Huskies and the Keene State Owls. The Anchormen entered the week at 3-6 on the season and 1-0 in LEC action.
The Anchormen hosted Southern Maine looking for their next win and to stay undefeated in conference play. The first half of the game was back and forth, but the Huskies were able to jump out to a 29-21 lead, thanks to a 7-0 run with eight minutes remaining in the half. Shortly after, RIC would go on a run of their own and tie the game at 29 a piece with five minutes remaining in the half. The teams would trade baskets as they would head into the break, knotted at 38.
The Anchormen started the second half and found themselves quickly up 52-41. The Anchormen would hold onto the lead throughout the half, despite the Huskies closing the lead to only three points a mere four minutes later. The Anchormen took the win 78-67.
RIC had four players finish in double figures. Nathaniel Maldonado posted a team-high 18 points, while Ousmane Kourouma, Anthony Rivera and Victor Olivera-Rodriguez had 16 points, 14 points and 12 points respectively. Rivera posted the first double-double of his career, earning a team-leading 12 rebounds to go along with his 14 points.
The Anchormen then traveled to take on the undefeated Keene State Owls. Keene State entered the game as the number eight team in the nation, according to D3hoops.com.
The Owls were all over the Anchormen to start the game, jumping out to a 22-2 lead. The Anchormen struggled from the field, shooting only 34%, while also struggling to stop the Owls, who made nearly 60% of their shots in the first half. The Anchormen found themselves down 57-29 at the halfway point.
RIC fared no better in the second half, shooting only 35% from the field. The Anchormen were able to slow down the Owls and allow their opposition to make only 34% of their shots in the half. The lead that the Owls had built would be too much for the Anchormen to overcome as they fell 98-60.
Devon Jenkins was the only Anchormen to score in double figures, posting a team-high 15 points. Rivera led the team in rebounds with eight.
The Anchormen moved to 4-7 in the season, and 2-1 in LEC play. They travel to UMass Boston on Dec. 17 for their next game at 3 p.m.