Providence, R.I.--Senior guard Dwayne Robinson-O'Hagan (Woonsocket, R.I.) tallied a game-high 23 points as Rhode Island College handled Fitchburg State, 86-79, at the Murray Center on Thursday evening.
 
THE BASICS
Rhode Island College 86, Fitchburg State 79
Rhode Island College (11-4)
Fitchburg State (4-11)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Falcons started off the game hot on the defensive end, forcing four turnovers as the visitors built an, 11-8, lead within the first four minutes.
 
• The Anchormen would find some offensive stability as sophomore guard Mike Paquette (Cranston, R.I.) drilled a three to put RIC up by six, 21-15.
 
• However, 13 points off turnovers for the Falcons gave FSU the lead at halftime, 37-34.
 
• RIC bounced right back to open the second 20 minutes, going on an 8-0 run to retake the lead, 42-37, within the first two minutes.
 
• Fitchburg State would then get the lead back two minutes later, 49-42, until the Anchormen would then make a run to tie the game at 49 apiece with 14:41 left in regulation.
 
• The hosts would never trail in the game again as the team fed off the energy given to them by junior guard Loudon Chupas (Colchester, Conn.), who knocked down a big three-pointer with eight minutes left.
 
• Fifth-year forward Ousmane Kourouma (Woonsocket, R.I.) would put the finishing touches on the contest by making an alley-oop layup off a nice feed from sophomore guard Xavier Mendez (Pawtucket, R.I.).
 
• Mendez and Chupas each finished with 18 points and Kourouma ended the night with 14 points and 20 rebounds.
 
• It was the eighth straight win for the Anchormen.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will resume Little East action at Keene State on Saturday, Jan. 18 (4 p.m.).