Providence, R.I.-Junior guard Tom DeCiantis (North Kingstown, RI) recorded 19 points to match his career-high and lead the Rhode Island College men's basketball team to a 68-54 victory over Plymouth State at The Murray Center on Saturday afternoon the Little East Conference opener for both squads.
 
"We got the result that we were looking for, but we also didn't compete the way we're capable of for the full 40 minutes," Head Coach Bob Walsh said after the game. "We were fortunate that Plymouth State missed some open shots and that Tom DeCiantis stepped up for us again."
 
Both the Rhode Island College men's and women's basketball teams were playing for Prostate Cancer Awareness on Saturday at The Murray Center. A number of different activities took place throughout the games to promote awareness and raise funds to support prostate cancer research locally and in New Hampshire. Similar activities will take place when the Anchormen and Anchorwomen visit the Panthers later in the season.
 
Rhode Island College (6-0, 1-0 LEC) opened the game with an impressive defensive showing as Plymouth State (1-5, 0-1 LEC) was held off the scoreboard for the first 8:51. The Panthers also went 0-for-12 to open the game from the floor and were held without a field goal for the first 10:14 of action until junior guard Petey Skevas (Wethersfield, CT) knocked down a jumper with 9:46 left to play in the first half. RIC took a 33-18 lead into the break and went on to close out PSU in the second half, despite being outscored, 36-35, through the final 20 minutes.
 
The Panthers eventually went on to shoot 40 percent (21-for-52) from the field thanks to a spirited second-half effort in which they cut the deficit to as a few as 12, despite trailing by as many as 23. Plymouth State held the edge on the glass, outrebounding the hosts, 33-24, and also shot 71 percent (10-for-14) from the free throw line. However, PSU shot just 20 percent (2-for-10) from outside and lost 17 turnovers on the offensive end.
 
Meanwhile, the Anchormen were incredibly efficient offensively on Saturday, as they shot 49 percent (23-for-47) from the field and turned the ball over just 14 times. RIC also shot 69 percent (18-for-26) from the charity stripe, but posted just a 27 percent shooting effort (4-for-15) from downtown.
 
Aside from another strong effort from DeCiantis, the Anchormen were paced by freshman center Mike Neal (Pawtucket, RI), who finished with nine points and four rebounds. Senior guard Tahrike Carter (Brooklyn, NY) totaled seven points, four rebounds, and three assists, while junior guard Nyheem Sanders (Pawtucket, RI) added eight points, four rebounds and two steals. Sophomore forward Chris Burton (New Rochelle, NY) registered seven points, four rebounds and three steals, while sophomore forward Alex Cruz (East Hartford, CT) chipped in with seven points. Senior guard Randy Casey (Attleboro, MA) came off the bench to dish out a game-high four assists to go along with three points.   
 
On the other end, Skevas led the Panthers with a game-high 23 points, while sophomore guard Alex Burt (Dover, NH) added nine points, three rebounds and three steals. Junior guard Sheldon Benson (Pembroke, NH) posted six points and five rebounds, while senior guard Stephan Roberts (Kissimmee, FL) added five points, three steals and a game-high seven rebounds in the loss.                                           
 
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will travel to Salve Regina on Tuesday, Dec. 4 (7:30 p.m.)