Providence, R.I.--Junior center Ousmane Kourouma (Woonsocket, R.I.) pulled down 24 rebounds as the Rhode Island College men's basketball team defeated Rivier, 73-69, in the season opener for both clubs played at The Murray Center on Tuesday night.
 
THE BASICS
Rhode Island College 73, Rivier 69
Rhode Island College (1-0)
Rivier (0-1)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• RIC freshman guard Nathaniel Maldonado (The Bronx, N.Y.) hit a three-pointer with 16:54 left in the first half to put the hosts up by eight, 10-2.
 
• RU graduate guard Pharaoh Davis (Plainville, Mass.) drained a three with around six minutes left to cut the RIC lead down to three, 26-23.
 
• Right before the break, junior forward Xavier Landers (Westwood, N.J.) knocked down a jumper to send the Anchormen into the half up two, 36-34.
 
• Rivier took its first lead of the game with around 15 minutes remaining in the second half when graduate forward Colin Boucher (Reading, Mass.) converted the layup to give the Raiders the one-point advantage, 39-38.
 
• With the score tied at 48 at the 10:23 mark, the Anchormen rattled off a 9-0 run, with Landers, Maldonado and senior guard Shion Darby (Peekskill, N.Y.) each contributing three points.
 
• From there on out, RIC would keep the Raiders at arms length, winning the free-throw war and securing the victory on opening night.
 
• Kourouma racked up 13 points and 24 rebounds (13 defensive, 11 offensive) for a double-double.
 
• Darby registered a game-high 24 points and had four rebounds and assists, while playing the full 40 minutes.
 
• Landers had a double-double with a career-high 16 points and 18 rebounds. It marked the first career game where Landers has reached double-digits in either statistical category.


 
• Rivier had four student-athletes score over 14 points, with senior guard Nickolas Pignone (Stoneham, Mass.) leading the way with 17.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will host MIT on Thursday, Nov. 10 (7 p.m.).