Providence, R.I.--Junior forward Mitchel Noresca (East Providence, R.I.) had a career night with 15 points and 19 rebounds as the Rhode Island men's basketball team dropped a tight one to Mitchell, 72-70, at The Murray Center on Tuesday evening.
 
THE BASICS
Mitchell 72, Rhode Island College 70
Mitchell (6-1)
Rhode Island College (2-6)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• RIC and Mitchell traded blows until the Mariners went on an 11-0 run to go up 15-7 with 14:30 left in the first half. Mitchell senior guard Jalen Benson (New London, Conn.) had seven points in that run alone.
 
• The visitors took a commanding 13-point, 40-27, lead into halftime.
 
• The Anchormen immediately put on a rally once halftime ended, outpacing the guests, 14-2, to bring the game to a 42-41 position with MC slightly in the lead. Noresca had six points for the hosts during that outburst.
 
• Immediately after that, RIC was careless with the ball and five Anchormen turnovers led to 12 consecutive Mariner points. MC led, 54-41, at the 12:48 mark after a layup by junior forward Dontae Pollard (Fort Walton Beach, Fla.).
 
• RIC found its offense late in the contest, tying the game, 70-70, with 43 seconds remaining. The Mariners converted a layup with 21 seconds left to go up by a pair.
 
• The Anchormen had two layup opportunities in the final seconds, but were not able to net the equalizer.
 
• Noresca was everywhere, scoring 15 points, swallowing up 19 misses, blocking six shots and swiping three steals.
 
• RIC freshman guard Nathaniel Maldonado (Bronx, N.Y.) scored a career-high 17 points.
 
• Mitchell senior guard Mikey Buscetto (Waterford, Conn.) and Alfonzo Stokes (Bloomfield, Conn.) had 18 and 15 points, respectively. Buscetto added five rebounds and five steals.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will open Little East play at Castleton on Saturday, Dec. 3 (4 p.m.).