Danbury, Conn.--Junior guard Loudon Chupas (Colchester, Conn.) recorded 18 points and a pair of blocks as Rhode Island College lost at Western Connecticut, 83-66, in Little East action played at the William A. O'Neill Center on Wednesday evening.
 
THE BASICS
Western Connecticut 83, Rhode Island College 66
Western Connecticut (15-8, 11-3 LEC)
Rhode Island College (14-9, 9-5 LEC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• The first eight minutes belonged to the Anchormen as they built a, 16-10, lead thanks to six early points by sophomore forward Xavier Mendez (Pawtucket, R.I.).
 
• The Wolves caught rhythm with 7:30 remaining in the first half by embarking on a 15-2 run to take the lead, 25-18.
 
• RIC ripped off a 16-4 run to close out the first 20 minutes to go back on top by five, 34-29.
 
• WestConn applied the pressure and steadily battled the Anchormen to regain lead again, this time by eight, 59-51, with 10:20 left in regulation.
 
• The Wolves never relinquished the lead and closed out the game in dominating fashion.
 
• Mendez finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double.
 
• RIC was without its top scorer and the nation's leading rebounder (Div. III) in fifth-year forward Ousmane Kourouma (Woonsocket, R.I.). 
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will continue Little East play at Eastern Connecticut on Wednesday, Feb. 19 (7 p.m.).