Providence, R.I.—Rhode Island College junior center Mike Akinrola (Woonsocket, RI) scored a game-high 26 points to pace five Anchormen in double figures as RIC won its fourth straight game with a 79-70 win at Johnson & Wales in a game played at the Harborside Recreation Center.

Senior forward Carl Lee (Warwick, RI), who was seeing his first action of the year, scored 18 points to go along with four rebounds, two blocks and two steals in just 20 minutes off the bench.

Senior guard Nick Manson (Newport, RI) netted 13 points and drained a team-high three treys, while junior forward Mason Choice (Newport, RI) and sophomore center Steven Roberts (New Haven, CT) each contributed 10 points.

Johnson & Wales (1-3) senior Darren Faust (Queens, NY) became the eighth player in school history to score 1,000 career points with 23 on the night.  Junior Lamonte Thomas (Providence, RI) added 22 points, five assists and four boards for the Wildcats.

 Johnson & Wales jumped out to the early lead and held a 15-3 advantage on a layup by Faust at the 15:43 mark. The Wildcats led by as many as 15 points after Faust's three-pointer with 7:42 remaining in the first half gave the squad the 30-15 lead. Rhode Island College (4-1) responded, however, and cut the deficit to 37-32 heading into the locker room at halftime after closing the stanza on a 17-7 run.

 The visiting Anchormen continued their run early in the second half and took their first lead of the game on a layup by Roberts, making the score 44-43 with 15:37 left on the clock. The two teams proceeded to trade baskets with the game tied 59-59 after a pair of free throws by JWU's Louis Ferreras (Providence, RI) with 8:27 remaining. RIC used a 16-5 run over the next six minutes and took their biggest lead of the second half on two free throws by Choice, making the score 75-64 with just over two minutes left.  The Anchormen would hold on for the 79-70 victory.

 RIC shot 54 percent (31-for-57) from the field, but were outrebounded, 28-26. JWU shot 48 percent (21-for-44) from the floor and posted a 79 percent mark (22-of-28) from the free throw line. The Wildcats went to the charity stripe nine more times then their guests.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will open Little East Conference play when it hosts Eastern Connecticut on Saturday, Dec. 4.

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