Waltham, Mass.-Senior forward Mason Choice (Newport, RI) finished with 14 points as the Rhode Island College men's basketball team used stifling defense to shut down Brandeis, 61-50, at Red Auerbach Arena on Sunday.

RIC (5-0) is off to its best start in 21 years, after beginning the 1989-1990 season with an 8-0 record. The Anchormen took advantage of a bevy of miscues by Brandeis (2-3), as the Judges turned the ball over 26 times, compared to just nine turnovers for Rhode Island College.

The Judges jumped out to an early, 3-0, lead in the opening minutes of the ballgame thanks to a long-ball from sophomore guard Derek Retos (North Attleboro, MA), but RIC immediately responded to take the lead back on a lay-in by Choice. A Brandeis free throw tied the game at four with 16:31 on the clock, but the Anchormen answered back thanks to a three-ball from sophomore guard Tom DeCiantis (North Kingstown, RI) to take a 7-4 lead. After that basket, RIC did not surrender the lead for the remainder of the game.

Brandeis made it a one-point game with 8:52 left to play in the second half after a jumper from senior forward Vytas Kriskus (Kvedarna, Lithuania), but that would be the closest the Judges would come to overtaking the Anchormen.

RIC was able to overcome a red-hot shooting effort from Retos, who finished with a game-high 18 points on six three-pointers. The Anchormen were also able to overcome their own long distance shooting woes, as they were just 4-for-18 from beyond the arc. The Judges, on the other hand, went 9-for-21 from the perimeter in the ballgame.

In total, RIC shot just 37 percent from the field (22-for-60), while holding the Judges to 44 percent shooting (17-for-39). However, the Anchormen capitalized on their opportunities at the free throw line, as they converted 13-for-19 from the charity stripe.

Junior guard Tahrike Carter (Brooklyn, NY) had another solid outing with 12 points and four assists, while senior center Mike Akinrola (Woonsocket, RI) notched 10 points, eight rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Sophomore guard Avery King (Pawtucket, RI) tallied eight points and six boards, while freshman forward Chris Burton (New Rochelle, NY) chipped in with seven points, three rebounds and three steals. DeCiantis contributed with five points and five boards in the win.

Krikus registered eight points for Brandeis in the loss, while sophomore center Youri Dascy (Fall River, MA) notched five points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Senior guard Tyrone Hughes (Dorchester, MA) tallied six points and six assists, while sophomore forward Alex Schmidt (Dublin, Ireland) recorded two points and nine rebounds.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will host Johnson & Wales on Tuesday, Nov. 29 (7:30 p.m.).