Providence, R.I.-Senior center Victor Smith (Providence, RI) scored 15 points and hauled in right rebounds, while sophomore forward Terrance Tribble (White Plains, NY) chipped in seven points, nine boards and three blocks, as the Rhode Island College men's basketball team notched their seventh straight victory, topping Little East Conference foe Western Connecticut, 67-59, at The Murray Center on Tuesday night.
The Anchormen (13-3, 5-1 LEC) jumped out to a quick, 9-2, lead when senior forward Chris Burton (New Rochelle, NY) fed Smith for a layup just 3:36 in to the first half. The Colonials (11-5, 3-3 LEC) went on a 5-0 run over the next 2:38 to make the score 9-7 on a free throw by junior guard Jeremiah Washington (Bridgeport, CT).
RIC cranked up the defense and a 21-12 run, capped by a Smith jumper, put the hosts up by 11, 30-19, with 2:18 left in the half. The teams traded baskets and RIC entered the locker room with a 32-21 lead.
The teams alternated baskets, with RIC holding a 12-point advantage after a jump shot by freshman guard Jerelle Washington (Providence, RI) with 13:59 left to play. The Colonials started their comeback, and a jumper by junior guard Phil Starks (Hartford, CT) cut the RIC lead down to three with 7:43 left in the half. A pair of free throws by the Colonials' senior guard Jimmy Louissaint (Brooklyn, NY) put Western within two, 55-53, with 6:31 left in the game. The Anchormen gutted it out down the stretch with Tribble hitting 3-of-4 free throws and recording a huge block to secure the league victory.
Starks' 15 points and four steals led the Colonials. Washington tossed in eight points and two steals in the defeat. Western shot 34.0 percent (18-for-53) from the field, while shooting 15.0 percent (3-for-20) from behind the three-point arc and 55.6 percent (20-for-36) from the free throw line.
The Anchormen shot 42.0 percent (21-for-50) from the field and 50.0 percent (6-for-12) from three-point land for the game. RIC shot 61.3 percent (19-for-31) from the charity stripe as a team.
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will continue Little East Conference action at Eastern Connecticut on Saturday, Jan. 24 (3 p.m.).