Providence, R.I.-Senior forward Chris Burton (New Rochelle, NY) scored a game-high 15 points, recorded three blocks and swiped three steals to lead the Rhode Island College men's basketball team to a 53-37, wire-to-wire victory over No. 15 MIT at The Murray Center on Thursday night.

Rhode Island College (7-3) and MIT (7-2) traded baskets early, but the Anchormen used an 18-2 run, capped by a long jump shot by senior center Victor Smith (Providence, RI) to take a commanding 20-4 lead with 11:16 remaining in the first half. The Engineers cut the lead down to 10, 27-17 on a layup by junior guard Ryan Frankel (New York, NY) with 4:33 left, but a 5-2 run by the Anchormen put the score at 32-19 entering the half.

The Anchormen increased their lead to 15 points on a three-pointer from freshman Roosevelt Shider (Meriden, CT) with 16:55 left in the final stanza. The Anchormen held a double-digit lead until a late run by the Engineers trimmed the lead to nine, 46-37, with 4:47 left.

However, the Anchormen wouldn't relinquish their lead, outscoring MIT down the stretch, 8-0, to secure the 53-37 victory. The Anchormen defense kept the Engineers 29 points below their season average of 65.9 points.  

The Engineers were led by sophomore forward Tim Butala (Monroe, CT), who finished with 11 points, while Frankel contributed six points and two assists. MIT shot 32.4 percent (12-for-37) from the field, 31.8 percent (7-for-22) from behind the three-point arc and 66.7 percent (6-for-9) from the free throw line.

Smith chipped in 11 points for the hosts. Senior guard Eric Alleyne (Watertown, MA) scored 10 points and handed out six assists. The Anchormen shot 45.7 percent (21-for-46) from the field, 42.9 percent (6-for-14) from three-point land and 55.6 percent (5-for-9) from the charity stripe.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will resume Little East Conference play at UMass Boston on Saturday, Dec. 13 (3 p.m.).