Providence, R.I.-Senior forward Ben Vezele (Providence, RI) led the way for the Anchormen with a 20-point, 18-rebound, double-double, as the Rhode Island College men's basketball team defeated Eastern Connecticut, 77-66, in Little East action played at the Murray Center on Wednesday night.

THE BASICS
Rhode Island College 77, Eastern Connecticut 66
Rhode Island College (16-7, 9-5 LEC)
Eastern Connecticut (9-13, 5-8 LEC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
• The first half was back and forth with five lead changes in the first 13 minutes of action. RIC built its largest lead of 11, 35-24, following a freshman guard Shion Darby (Peekskill, NY) trey with 3:23 to play in the half, as the Anchormen carried a five-point, 35-30, lead into the intermission.

• Vezele led the Anchormen with 11 points and seven boards at the half. Senior guard Jake Collagan (Wethersfield, CT) led the Warriors with 11 over the first 20 minutes. 

• As the second half began, ECSU climbed back and took a five-point, 44-39, lead. The Anchormen regained the advantage after a senior guard Jonatan Batista (Providence, RI) corner three to put RIC on top, 47-46, with 15:18 remaining in the game.

• The Warriors retook the lead, 62-61, with 6:12 to play following a trio of free throws by Collagan.

• A mid-range jumper and a pair three-pointers from junior forward Tim Deng (Portland, ME) put the Anchormen on top, 69-64, with 4:06 left to play.

• The Anchormen were able to hold off the Warriors by 11, 77-66, for their ninth Little East victory, which completes a season-sweep of ECSU.

• Darby finished with 16 points to go along with seven rebounds and seven assists. Deng chipped in with 17 points and seven boards. Batista finished with eight points, eight rebounds and six assists. Junior guard Keyshaun Jacobs (Lynn, MA) added 13 points and grabbed six boards.

• Collagan ended the night with 22 points, two boards and one assist.

BY THE NUMBERS
• RIC shot 38 percent (27-for-71) from the field, 26 percent (7-for-27) from three-point range and 62 percent (16-for-26) from the foul line.

• ECSU shot 31 percent (24-for-78) from the field, 25 percent (6-for-24) from three-point territory and 100 percent (12-for-12) from the foul line.

• RIC held the advantage on the glass, 55-47, and handed out 14 assists on the night.

WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will continue Little East play at Keene State on Saturday, Feb. 15 (3 p.m.).