Providence, R.I.-Freshman guard Austin Cilley (Westerly, RI) racked up 16 points, including 12 in the first half, to help propel the Rhode Island College men's basketball team to a 76-50 thrashing of UMass Boston at The Murray Center on Saturday afternoon in Little East Conference action.

Freshman forward Terrance Tribble (White Plains, NY) finished with 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting for Rhode Island College (6-4, 1-1 LEC) to go along with four rebounds and two assists, while sophomore center Mike Neal (Pawtucket, RI) posted 10 points, five rebounds and two assists.

Junior forward Carl Joseph (Brockton, MA) poured in a game-high 24 points to go along with four rebounds for UMass Boston (3-5, 0-2 LEC) in the loss, while freshman guard Ryan LaPaglia (Marshfield, MA) notched four points, five rebounds, four steals and two assists. Sophomore forward Selim Omerovic (Saugus, MA) chipped in with nine points, three rebounds and two steals.

RIC held the Beacons to just 13 points on 14 percent (3-for-21) shooting in the first half, while forcing 15 first-half turnovers en route to a 37-13 halftime advantage. Although the Beacons hung with the Anchormen in the second half, the deficit proved to be too much to overcome, as the visitors eventually fell by 26. 

"It was good to see our defense control the game from the opening tip," said Head Coach Bob Walsh. "When you hold teams to three field goals and 13 points in a half, it gives you a great chance to win."

Junior forward Chris Burton (New Rochelle, NY) added nine points, three rebounds and two steals, while junior guard Eric Alleyne (Watertown, MA) compiled seven points, a game-high six assists, three steals and two rebounds. Senior guard Tom DeCiantis (North Kingstown, RI) finished with five points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals, while junior center Victor Smith (Providence, RI) contributed five points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Freshman guard John Gause (Mount Vernon, NY) chipped in with five points, three rebounds and three assists.

The Anchormen shot 45 percent (28-for-62) from the field, 19 percent (5-for-27) from downtown and 83 percent (15-for-18) from the free throw line.

On the other end, the Beacons shot just 28 percent (13-for-47) from the floor and 73 percent (24-for-33) from the charity stripe, while going 0-for-11 from beyond the three-point arc.

UMass Boston managed to outrebound RIC, 40-37, and hauled in 12 rebounds as a team. However, UMB coughed up the ball 23 times in the loss, compared to just 13 turnovers for the Anchormen. RIC also dished out 21 assists as a team, compared to just five assists for the Beacons.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will host Johnson & Wales on Sunday, Jan. 5 (2 p.m.).