Willimantic, Conn.--Three Anchormen registered double-digits in points as the Rhode Island College men's basketball team fell to Eastern Connecticut, 72-68, in Little East action at Geissler Gymnasium on Wednesday evening.
 
THE BASICS
Eastern Connecticut 72, Rhode Island College 68
Eastern Connecticut (3-2, 1-2 LEC)
Rhode Island College (1-4, 1-4 LEC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Anchormen jumped out to a 14-6 lead on a freshman guard Jordan Riley (Windsor, Conn.) three-pointer with just over 13 minutes to play in the opening half.
 
• The Warriors then went on a 15-4 run of their own to take a one-point advantage, 19-18.
 
• The Anchormen responded with seven straight unanswered points to take a 25-19 lead with 5:36 remaining in the first half.
 
• RIC seemed to be in control of the final five minutes, but then the hosts knotted the game at 32-all with a free throw just before the halftime intermission.
 
• The second half was back and forth the entire way. Neither side was able to build much of an advantage as both teams traded the leaded numerous times.
 
• A layup by sophomore guard Shion Darby (Peekskill, N.Y.) gave the Anchormen a one-point, 54-53, lead with 8:16 to play in the final frame.
 
• On the ensuing possession, ECSU sophomore forward Rakesh Tibby (East Hartford, Conn.) converted a layup to put the Warriors back on top with 7:52 to go.
 
• The Warriors continued to make shots and hold the Anchormen from retaking the lead as they held the advantage the rest of the game, eventually winning by a four-point margin, 72-68.  
 
• Riley had 18 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals on the evening. Darby ended the night with 18 points to go along with five rebounds, three assists, a pair of steals and one block.
 
• Freshman guard Dante Law (Taunton, Mass.) chipped in a team-high 19 points to go along with four rebounds and a pair of assists. Freshman guard Jared White (North Plainfield, N.J.) hauled in a team-high 11 rebounds and chipped in with two points.
 
• Senior guard Cory Muckle (Westbrook, Conn.) led the hosts with 18 points, six rebounds and two assists.
 
BY THE NUMBERS
• RIC shot 40 percent (29-for-72) from the field, 16 percent (5-for-30) from three-point territory and 50 percent (5-for-10) from the charity stripe.
 
• ECSU shot 39 percent (30-for-78) from the field, 22 percent (7-for-32) from three-point land and 63 percent (5-for-8) from the foul line.
 
• RIC held the advantage on the glass, 47-46, while ECSU contributed more assists (15; 13) and recorded more steals (7; 5).
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will continue Little East play at Keene State on Saturday, Feb. 20 (1 p.m.).