Providence, R.I.--Freshman guard Shion Darby (Peekskill, NY) led the way for the Anchormen with 35 points, six assists and two rebounds as the Rhode Island College men's basketball team defeated Southern Maine, 94-80, in Little East action played at The Murray Center on Wednesday evening.

THE BASICS
Rhode Island College 94, Southern Maine 80
Rhode Island College (14-7, 7-5 LEC)
Southern Maine (9-11, 4-8 LEC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Anchormen jumped out to a quick start with three junior guard Keyshaun Jacobs (Lynn, MA) three-pointers in the opening six minutes.The Anchormen extended their lead to 10, 43-33, with 3:43 left in the first half and carried an eight-point, 47-39, lead into the halftime break.

• RIC controlled the pace during the second half and pushed its lead to 17, 76-60, with 7:39 to play after a senior forward Ben Vezele (Providence, RI) converted an old fashion three-point play.

• Outside of two ties, the Anchormen held the lead for the entire game.

• USM junior guard Derek Haney (Auburn, CA) led the Huskies with 19 points and handed out a pair of assists.

• Jacobs finished with 19 points and five rebounds. Vezele contributed a double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Junior forward Tim Deng (Portland, ME) chipped in with 13 points and grabbed eight boards. 

BY THE NUMBERS
• RIC shot 49 percent (35-for-71) from the field, 39 percent (11-for-28) from three-point range and 59 percent (13-for-22) from the free throw line.

• USM shot 41 percent (33-for-81) from the field, 27 percent (7-for-26) from three-point range and 64 percent (7-for-11) from the free throw line.

• USM held a slight advantage on the glass, 48-43.

WHAT'S NEXT

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will continue Little East action at UMass Boston on Saturday, Feb. 8 (3 p.m.).