Providence, R.I.-Senior center Mike Akinrola (Woonsocket, RI) dropped a game-high 19 points to go along with seven rebounds, and junior guard Tahrike Carter (Brooklyn, NY) made a key layup with time winding down, as the Rhode Island College men's basketball slipped past the UMass Dartmouth Corsairs, 61-57, at The Murray Center on Tuesday.

"We were very fortunate to get a result tonight," said Head Coach Bob Walsh. "UMass Dartmouth really stepped up their defense and we didn't respond very well. Luckily they missed some shots and some free throws and we were able to make enough plays to win."

RIC (13-2, 4-2 LEC) went into halftime trailing, 23-20, to UMD (8-8, 2-4 LEC), but jumped out to a hot start in the second frame to take back the lead after a bucket from senior forward Mason Choice (Newport, RI) made it, 27-25, with 17:11 left to play. The Anchormen went up by as many as seven throughout the second half, but never could pull away from the Corsairs, who trimmed the deficit to just two points after a free throw from senior center Lance Greene (Dorchester, MA) with 3:21 left to play made it, 53-51.

Greene missed the second of the two free throws, but UMD hauled in the offensive rebound to keep the possession alive. That's when senior guard Alex Klepadlo (Bernardston, MA) buried a three to give the Corsairs a 54-53 lead with 2:58 remaining.

Rhode Island College would answer right back, as sophomore guard Avery King (Pawtucket, RI) sank a trey on the other end to put the Anchormen back on top, 56-54, with 2:34 left to play. On the ensuing possession, the Corsairs failed to hit on a pair of free throw opportunities, giving RIC a chance to further extend its lead.

With 1:32 on the game clock, and the shot clock winding down, Carter split two defenders and connected on an acrobatic lay-in from underneath the basket before the buzzer to put the Anchormen up for good, 58-54. RIC would go on to close out the Corsairs after UMD went just 2-for-10 from the charity stripe over the final four minutes of action.

In total, UMass Dartmouth shot just 43 percent (9-for-21) from the free throw line. Despite shooting 41 percent (23-for-56) from the floor on the night, the Corsairs also suffered from abysmal shooting from beyond the arc (2-for-15). Meanwhile, RIC shot 43 percent (23-for-53) from the floor on the evening, including 60 percent (6-for-10) shooting from the charity stripe and 30 percent shooting (3-for-10) from downtown.

The Anchormen received another solid outing from Carter, as the co-captain finished with 10 points, six rebounds and four assists. Choice contributed with nine points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists, while sophomore guard Tom DeCiantis (North Kingstown, RI) added eight points and five boards. Junior guard Ethan Gaye (Providence, RI) chipped in with six points, while King netted five points off the bench.

Greene led all Corsairs with 17 points, while adding six rebounds, four steals, three assists and a block in the loss. Freshman center Alex Rodrigues (Fall River, MA) posted eight points and a game-high 15 rebounds, while Klepadlo added nine points of his own. Senior guard Paul Rose (Boston, MA) registered seven points and a game-high seven assists, while freshman guard Jake Laga (Northampton, MA) also finished with seven points for UMD.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will continue Little East Conference play at home against Plymouth State on Saturday, Jan. 21 (3 p.m.).