Providence, R.I.--Senior forward Domonique Bull (Worcester, MA) scored a game-high 26 points and added eight rebounds, but it was not enough as the Rhode Island College men's basketball team dropped a hard-fought, 92-84, decision at Salem State on Tuesday evening.

Junior guard Jovel Beckford (Providence, RI) added 16 points and two rebounds for RIC (3-3), while junior forward Aaron Adams-Johnson (Rochester, MN) added 11 points and six rebounds in the setback. Freshman guard Chris Donaldson (Bridgeport, CT) rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10 points, five assists and four boards for the Anchormen.

Salem State (4-1) was led by junior guard Shaquan Murray (Boston, MA) with 24 points, four assists and two rebounds, while senior forward Marcus Faison (Cambridge, MA) notched a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Sophomore guard Alexander Santos (Lawrence, MA) contributed 20 points and three rebounds and freshman guard Sean Bryan (Lowell, MA) was also in double-figures with 15 points for the hosts.

The two teams played a back and forth affair early on with neither team holding more than a three-point advantage and the score tied 15-15 with 13:17 left in the first half. Salem State then used 14-8 run, capped by a layup from junior guard Jacob Lindland (Hamilton, MA), to take a 29-23 advantage with 9:57 left in the stanza. Salem State led by as many as nine points late in the first half before heading into the locker room with a 47-42 advantage.

RIC chipped away at the lead and got to within one point when a jumper by Bull made the score 61-60 with 13:55 remaining in regulation. The Anchormen trailed by just two points late in the second half, but couldn't pull any closer as the host Vikings closed the game on a 9-3 run secure the win. 

RIC shot 47.7 percent (31-for-65) from the field, 46.2 percent (6-for-13) from behind the three-point stripe and 80.0 percent (16-for-20) from the free throw line. Salem State shot 51.3 percent (39-for-76) from the field, 44.4 percent (8-for-18) from beyond the three-point line and 50.0 percent (6-for-12) from the free throw line. Salem State held a 44-32 advantage in rebounds for the contest.

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