Providence, R.I.-Senior center Mike Akinrola (Woonsocket, RI) finished with 15 points and eight rebounds, while sophomore guard Tom DeCiantis (North Kingstown, RI) added 11 points of his own, as Rhode Island College dismantled UMass Boston, 88-51, at The Murray Center on Saturday.

RIC (11-1, 2-1 LEC) jumped out to a scorching hot start in the first half both offensively and defensively. The hosts opened the ballgame on a 9-0 run and shot 54 percent from the field in the frame, en route to a total of 40 points at the break. On the other end, stingy defense held UMass Boston (4-8, 0-3 LEC) to just 18 first half points on 6-of-21 shooting.

"Our defense carried the day once again," said Head Coach Bob Walsh. "When you look up with five minutes left to play in the first half, and they haven't scored 10 points, you know you're going to be tough to beat."

In total, the Anchormen held the Beacons to just 36 percent shooting from the floor and forced 18 turnovers, while holding UMB's top scorer, senior guard Isaac Jenkins (Pordenone, Italy), to just six points.

Meanwhile, a balanced scoring attack that featured 14 different scorers paced the offense for the Anchormen, who finished with a total of 21 assists as a team. RIC also connected on its opportunities at the free throw line, where they went 24-for-28 (86%). Rhode Island College shot 47 percent from the field throughout the course of the game, while finishing 8-for-14 (57%) from downtown.

The biggest advantage of the game for the Anchormen might have come on the glass, as they outrebounded the Beacons, 46-27. 

Freshman forward Chris Burton (New Rochelle, NY) tallied 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists in the win for RIC, while senior forward Mason Choice (Newport, RI) chipped in with six points, four rebounds and three assists. Junior guard Tahrike Carter (Brooklyn, NY) and sophomore guard Avery King (Pawtucket, RI) each netted eight points for the Anchormen, while Carter also contributed four boards, two assists and two steals. Sophomore guard Kadeem Francis (White Plains, NY) notched six points off the bench, while senior guard Keith Hamilton (Queens Village, NY) and freshman guard Brandon Hill (Bronx, NY) chimed in with five points apiece.

Freshman forward Carl Joseph (Brockton, MA) led the Beacons with 13 points and three blocks, while freshman forward Cody Edmond (Plaquemine, LA) added eight points and five rebounds. Freshman guard Vinny DeLucia (Miami, FL) recorded seven points, three steals, and three assists in the loss.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will continue Little East Conference play at home against Southern Maine on Tuesday, Jan. 10 (7:30 p.m.).