Providence, R.I.-Senior forward Chris Burton (New Rochelle, NY) scored a career-high 29 points, while also grabbing 13 rebounds, blocking five shots and swiping six steals, to lead the Rhode Island College men's basketball team to a 70-59 victory over Little East Conference foe UMass Boston at The Murray Center on Saturday afternoon.
The Anchormen (14-5, 6-3 LEC) jumped out of the gate quickly, holding a 12-4 lead following a trifecta from freshman guard Jerelle Washington (Providence, RI) with 13:35 left in the half. The Beacons (10-10, 2-7 LEC) cut the lead down to five, 21-16, following a three-pointer from senior forward Steven McGuire (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) with just under five minutes left in the half.
The Anchormen rebounded quickly and increased their lead up to eight following a tip-in from senior center Victor Smith (Providence, RI) with 1:11 to play. Both teams struggled with their shooting in the final minute and the game entered the half with the Anchormen holding the, 29-21, advantage.
Smith paced RIC in the half, scoring six points and hauling in six rebounds. Senior forward Carl Joseph (Brockton, MA) led the Beacons with five points and four rebounds in the stanza.
The Beacons opened the second half on fire, taking a two-point advantage, 35-33, following two free throws by junior forward Karl Agenor (Dorchester, MA) with 14:53 left to play. The Anchormen responded with a suffocating, 30-7, run, capped by a pair of Burton free throws, to take a commanding 63-42 lead with 6:08 left in the half. The Beacons cut the lead down to 10, but couldn't get any closer as the Anchormen cruised to the victory.
Senior forward Gregory Young (Dorchester, MA) recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 boards, while Joseph was also in double figures with 13 points. UMB was held to 26.6 percent shooting (17-for-64) from the field and shot just 22.7 percent (5-for-22) from behind the three-point arc. UMass Boston shot a solid 80.0 percent (20-for-25) from the free throw line.
RIC was paced by Burton's 29 points, 13 boards, five blocks and six steals. Smith also recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while also blocking two shots. The Anchormen shot 36.4 percent (24-for-46) from the field and 38.1 percent (8-for-21) from downtown for the game. They shot 70.0 percent (14-for-20) from the charity stripe as a team.
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will host Amherst on Tuesday, Feb. 3 (7 p.m.).