Providence, R.I.--Fifth-year forward Ousmane Kourouma (Woonsocket, R.I.) scored 24 points, corralled 15 rebounds and blocked three shots as No. 3-seeded Rhode Island College defeated No. 6-seeded UMass Dartmouth, 80-64, in first round action of the 2025 Little East Men's Basketball Championship played at the Murray Center on Tuesday night.
 
THE BASICS
Rhode Island College 80, UMass Dartmouth 64
Rhode Island College (15-10)
UMass Dartmouth (9-16)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Both squads found rhythm early on in the first half as both teams traded buckets until sophomore forward Xavier Mendez (Pawtucket, R.I.) nailed a three-pointer as RIC gained a three-point, 21-18, lead with 10:26 left in the first half.
 
• The Anchormen would not relinquish their lead and led by 14, 50-34, heading into the locker room at halftime.
 
• The second half would be even more dominant for RIC, as the hosts pushed their lead to 20, 69-49, thanks to a layup from senior guard Deyshawn Tengbeh (East Providence, R.I.).
 
• Tengbeh then found junior guard Isaiah Dahl (Cornelius, Ore.) from downtown to make it a 21-point advantage, 78-57, with four minutes left and put the contest out of reach for the Corsairs
 
• The Anchormen's defensive intensity was unmatched, holding the visitors to just 15-percent shooting from the field during the second half.
 
• Tengbeh finished with 16 points, seven boards and four assists.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, No. 3 Rhode Island College will play No. 2 Western Connecticut in the semifinals of the 2025 Little East Men's Basketball Championship on Thursday, Feb. 27 (6 p.m.).