Providence, R.I.--Freshman guard Anthony Rivera (Staten Island, N.Y.) notched his first career double-double as the Rhode Island College men's basketball team defeated Southern Maine, 78-67, in Little East action played at The Murray Center on Wednesday night.
 
THE BASICS
Rhode Island College 78, Southern Maine 67
Rhode Island College (4-6, 2-0 LEC)
Southern Maine (6-3, 0-2 LEC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• The first half was tight, with Southern Maine up by one, 22-21, after 10 minutes. The Huskies quickly went on a 7-0 run, capitalizing off of RIC turnovers, to go up by eight, 29-21.
 
• The Anchormen then went on an 8-0 run themselves to tie the contest up at 29 apiece with 5:30 left to go.The score would remain tied going into the half, 38-38.
 
• RIC came out hot to start the second half, with junior center Ousmane Kourouma (Woonsocket, R.I.) and freshman guard Victor Olivera-Rodriguez (Pawtucket, R.I.) each scoring multiple times to give the hosts a four-point, 45-41, lead with 16:15 left to play.
 
• RIC would keep the lead for the remainder of the game. Olivera-Rodriguez made several hustle plays that energized the Anchormen, while Kourouma sat out for extended minutes with foul trouble.
 
• The Anchormen were able to connect on their free throws down the stretch to ice the game.
 
• Rivera filled the stat sheet with 14 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. Freshman guard Nathaniel Maldonado (Bronx, N.Y.) registered a team-best 18 points and Kourouma contributed 16 points.
 
• USM junior guards Simon Chadbourne (Westbrook, Maine) and Chance Dixon (Lake Worth, Fla.) each had 16 points.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will continue Little East action at Keene State on Saturday, Dec. 10 (3 p.m.).