Providence, R.I.--Sophomore forward Xavier Mendez (Pawtucket, R.I.) led the way with a career-high in both points and rebounds, with 25 and 14, respectively, as Rhode Island College took down Western Connecticut, 71-69, in Little East action played at the Murray Center on Tuesday evening.
 
THE BASICS
Rhode Island College 71, Western Connecticut 69
Rhode Island College (10-4, 6-0 LEC)
Western Connecticut (8-7, 4-2 LEC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• A physical battle led to a tightly contested first half as a combined 19 fouls, including one technical, were compiled between both sides.
 
• Senior guard Deyshawn Tengbeh (East Providence, R.I.) put in a great defensive effort, blocking a career-high five shots and coming away with a pair of steals in just the first half.
 
• Mendez led the way for RIC, scoring 13 first-half points and coming down with seven rebounds as RIC held a four-point lead, 28-24, at the break.
 
• Just five minutes into the second half, RIC jumped out to a game-high 14-point lead, 45-31, thanks to a three-ball by junior guard Loudon Chupas (Colchester, Conn.).
 
• However, the Wolves fought back and took a one-point lead with 54 seconds remaining, 68-67.
 
• A free throw from WestConn would then make the deficit two for RIC, until senior guard Dwayne Robinson-O'Hagan (Woonsocket, R.I.) got to the cup and converted a tough layup while getting fouled. He would go on to convert the and-one to give the Anchormen a one-point lead, 70-69.
 
• The Wolves drove to the hoop with five seconds left, but the potential game-tying layup was off the mark and fifth-year forward Ousmane Kourouma (Woonsocket, R.I.) grabbed the board.
 
• Kourouma was fouled with 3.2 ticks left on the clock and made one of his attempts from the charity stripe. With no timeouts left, Western Connecticut's half-court heave was off the mark as RIC escaped with its sixth conference win of the season.
 
• It was the second consecutive game Robinson-O'Hagan made the go-ahead layup for a RIC victory and marked the seventh consecutive win for the team.
 
• Chupas finished with a career-high 17 points on 5-for-8 shooting from the floor.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will host Fitchburg State on Thursday, Jan. 16 (7:30 p.m.).