Providence, RI-Freshman center Ashton Watkins (Providence, RI) posted his first career double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds as Rhode Island College won a slow-paced, physical game, 68-41, over visiting Emmanuel at The Murray Center.

The Anchormen (10-6) outrebounded the Saints (4-10), 63-33, as 12 different Anchormen grabbed at least one rebound and scored two or more points.

In a game that took well over two hours to finish, the Saints were completely out of synch. Emmanuel shot just 25 percent (12-for-49), turned the ball over 28 times, committed 27 fouls and was dominated on the glass.

The two teams combined for 50 turnovers and 53 fouls as nearly every possession was stopped due to a whistle.

In a low scoring first half, RIC finally broke what seemed to be a perpetual deadlock by going on an 11-0 run, which took over five minutes to complete. The Anchormen took a 31-17 lead into halftime as the Saints could not convert a field goal over the final 13 minutes of the first stanza.

The second half was more of the same, as RIC kept the visitors at bay, not allowing Emmanuel within 11 points for the remainder of the contest.

Senior forward Carl Lee (Warwick, RI) finished with nine points and six rebounds, while classmate tri-captain Darius Debnam (Dorchester, MA) pitched in with six points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

Freshman forward Theo Robinson (Springfield, MA) led Emmanuel with a game-high 15 points, five rebounds, three blocks and two steals.

There were only two made three-pointers, one by each team, in the game, both of which came in the first half.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will travel to first place Eastern Connecticut on Saturday, Jan. 22 in a critical Little East Conference matchup.

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