Gorham, Maine--Fifth-year forward Ousmane Kourouma (Woonsocket, R.I.) poured 25 in points and hauled down 17 rebounds as Rhode Island College fell at Southern Maine, 83-81, in Little East action played at Hill Gymnasium on Wednesday evening.
 
THE BASICS
Southern Maine 83, Rhode Island College 81
Southern Maine (8-11, 4-6 LEC)
Rhode Island College (13-6, 8-2 LEC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Senior guard Deyshawn Tengbeh (East Providence, R.I.) scored seven of RIC's first 15 points as the Anchormen quickly jumped out to a 12-point, 15-3, lead within the first four minutes.
 
• The Huskies would cut the deficit down to seven, 34-27, with four minutes to play in the first half, but wouldn't get any closer as the visitors led by 10, 41-31, going into the locker room.
 
• Sophomore forward Xavier Mendez (Pawtucket, R.I.) made a jump shot off a Tengbeh assist as the Anchormen led by 14, 64-50, 10 minutes into the second half.
 
• However, the Huskies would come back to defend their home court by forcing four turnovers in the final three minutes to spark their rise.
 
• A foul by RIC forced the Huskies to take and make two free throws with 43 seconds remaining to take the lead by one, 80-79.
 
• Another pair of free throws from the hosts put USM up by three, 82-79, before Tengbeh came down the floor and made a layup to pull within a point. A free throw staked USM to a two-point lead and Kourouma's potential game-tying shot was off the mark at the buzzer.
 
• Mendez finished with 20 points and 15 rebounds.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will continue Little East play at home vs. UMass Boston on Saturday, Feb. 1 (3 p.m.).