Providence, R.I.-Senior forward Mason Choice (Newport, RI) notched 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while junior guard Tahrike Carter (Brooklyn, NY) posted 13 points, eight assists and three steals, as the Rhode Island College men's basketball team dispatched Johnson & Wales, 89-62, at The Murray Center on Tuesday night.

Sophomore guard Tom DeCiantis (North Kingstown, RI) tallied a career-high 13 points, while sophomore guard Michael Palumbo (Providence, RI) also netted a career-high with nine points in the win. RIC (6-0) lit up the scoreboard offensively with a season-high 89 points and shot 54 percent (31-for-57) from the floor. The Anchormen took advantage of their opportunities from the charity stripe as well, shooting 85 percent (22-for-26) from the line. RIC also registered 24 assists as a team, compared to just four for the Wildcats.

JWU (1-3), playing without senior guard Lamonte Thomas (Providence, RI) and his 37.3 ppg, jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on a pair of free throws in the opening minute. Rhode Island College immediately responded to take the lead back on a three-pointer from DeCiantis with 19:16 left to play in the half. From that point on, RIC held the lead for the remainder of the game.

As the Anchormen began to pull away in the first half, a three-point play from senior guard Mike Harris (Providence, RI) trimmed the JWU deficit to just two with 13:33 remaining, keeping things close. However, the Anchormen broke the game open with a 24-6 run over the next nine minutes. A fast break dunk by Carter capped off the offensive explosion with 4:08 on the clock, giving RIC a 40-20 lead over their cross-city rival. The Anchormen led by 20 at the break, 46-26, shooting a red-hot 61 percent through the first 20 minutes. They continued to roll throughout the second half as well, outscoring the visitors, 43-36, in the second frame.

Sophomore guard Avery King (Pawtucket, RI) and freshman forward Jacob Page (Brookline, MA) each finished with eight points, while freshman forward Basheem Bennett (Poughkeepsie, NY) notched seven points off the bench. Freshman forward Chris Burton (New Rochelle, NY) totaled four points, two rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals, and also threw down a vicious second half slam dunk in the lane that electrified the crowd.

Junior guard Matt Williams (Mt. Kisco, NY) posted a game-high 19 points in the loss, while freshman guard Donald Williams (East Providence, RI) added 16 points of his own. Senior forward James Folk (Salem, NH) chipped in with nine points and six boards for Johnson & Wales.

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