Keene, N.H.--Junior guard Xavier Mendez (Pawtucket, R.I.) posted 25 points and dished out four assists as No. 6-seeded Rhode Island College saw the 2025-26 season come to an end at No. 3-seeded Keene State, 101-81, in the first round of the 2026 Little East Men's Basketball Championship at Spaulding Gymnasium on Wednesday evening.
 
THE BASICS
No. 3 Keene State 101, No. 6 Rhode Island College 81
Keene State (16-10)
Rhode Island College (11-15)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Mendez and senior forward Tyriek Weeks (Warwick, R.I.) combined for 15 points in the first 10 minutes, which gave the Anchormen a 24-20 lead.
 
• The Owls went on a 24-9 run over the next eight minutes and gained a double digit lead, 44-33, with 2:30 left in the half. 
 
• RIC closed out the first half on a 10-3 run, as the visitors reduced the damage by the hosts and brought their deficit donw to three, 47-44.
 
• The Anchormen started the second half on a 12-4 run within the first four minutes, but the Owls reestablished control with 13 minutes remaining and took the lead back, 64-60.
 
• The visitors could not gain any more ground on the hosts as Keene State would give up just 11 points for the remainder of the game to end RIC's season and advance to the tourney's semifinals.
 
• Senior guard Loudon Chupas (Colchester, Conn.) poured in a double-double of 19 points and 10 boards in his final game.

• Weeks racked up 16 points and seven boards, while classmate guard CJ Wilson (Hartford, Conn.) ended the night with 12 points and four assists.