Providence, R.I.--Freshman guard Anthony Rivera (Staten Island, N.Y.) registered a career-high in points for the second consecutive game, with a 20-point effort, as the Rhode Island College men's basketball team suffered a 70-63 vs. against Worcester State at The Murray Center on Thursday night.
 
THE BASICS
Worcester State 70, Rhode Island College 63
Worcester State (3-2)
Rhode Island College (1-4)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• RIC sprinted out to a 5-0 lead after the first two minutes of play, with junior forward Xavier Landers (Westwood, N.J.) getting three of the Anchormen's points.
 
• The Lancers and Anchormen played the definition of back-and-forth basketball as the largest lead held by either team was RIC's five-point advantage early in the frame. Worcester State hit back-to-back three pointers to end the half to give the visitors a three-point, 35-32 lead.
 
• WSU graduate center Erik Bjorn (Holden, Mass.) hit a layup with 12:34 left in the second half to give the Lancers an eight-point, 49-41, advantage, which was the Lancers largest lead to that point.
 
• RIC shortly went on a 7-0 run to tie the game up at 51 apiece. The run was highlighted by buckets from Rivera, Landers and junior center Ousmane Kourouma (Woonsocket, R.I.).
 
• With the Lancers up by a basket, 62-60, with 1:49 remaining, WSU sank back-to-back three-pointers to put the game away.
 
 
• Rivera (20 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals) and Landers (13 points, nine rebounds) flirted with double-doubles, as Kourouma was able to get his fourth in five games this season (12 points, 15 rebounds, six blocks).
 
• WSU graduate guard Zion Hendrix (Charlotte, N.C.) and junior forward Ryan Rubenskas (Bridgewater, Mass.) led the charge for the visitors. Hendrix finished with 16 points and knocked down some of those critical three-pointers. Rubenskas registered 14 points and five rebounds.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will host Regis on Saturday, Nov. 19 (3 p.m.).