BRISTOL, R.I. – A strong start helped Rhode Island College extend its winning streak to 11 games with a 66-50 victory over the Roger Williams University Men's Basketball team Thursday evening.

Antone Gray (Providence, R.I.) started things off for the Anchormen with a three-pointer on RIC's opening possession. That trey sparked off a 13-0 run to begin the game for Rhode Island College, holding the Hawks without a basket over the first seven-and-a-half minutes. Taylor Petruccelli (Stratford, Conn.) ended the scoring drought for RWU with a three, followed by a layup by Travis O'Dell (Brunswick, Maine) to pull within eight.

The Anchormen responded with six straight points to extend their lead to 15. RWU's offense began to pick up toward the middle of the half, with 12 points in a three-minute stretch after beginning the game 0-for-11. Yet RIC clamped back down on defense at the end of the period, keeping the Hawks scoreless over the final 2:06 to take a 33-20 lead into the break.

In the second half, the Hawks began to make a comeback, primarily on the strength of the 11 points scored by Tucker Bashaw (Williston, Vt.) in the period. Trailing by double-digits throughout most of the period, RWU cut the deficit to nine with 14 minutes to play. In the midst of a 12-0 run, the Hawks made it a 36-40 game on a three-pointer by Joe Kane (Glenmont, N.Y.).

Four points would be as close as the Anchormen would allow RWU to get, as their lead hover between seven and four over the next six minutes with both teams trading buckets. Back-to-back layups by Rob Bentil (East Hartford, Conn.) and Mason Choice (Newport, R.I.) gave RIC a little breathing room with an eight-point lead with 7:27 to play. Bentil's free throw at the 6:27 mark put RIC up 55-45, giving the Anchormen a double-digit lead they would not relinquish.

Kaseem Johnson (New Haven, Conn.) led all scorers with 13 points and nine rebounds, while Bobby Bailey (Fall River, Mass.) finished with ten points and a pair of steals.

Bashaw led the Hawks with 11, with Petruccelli adding ten and seven boards. Pat Flanagan (Somerset, Mass.) finished with eight points, seven rebounds, and three blocks.

Rhode Island College (18-4) travels to the University of Southern Maine Saturday for a 3:00 p.m. game, while Roger Williams (9-13) hosts Regis College Saturday at 3:00 p.m.