On a crazy night that saw multiple power outages and delays, the Rhode Island College Anchormen proved to be too much for the USM Huskies, winning 70-53 in Little East Conference men’s basketball action last Tuesday.
Powered by a high-octane scoring attack of guard penetration and fast-break opportunities, the Anchormen methodically extended their six point half-time lead to end the Huskies two game winning streak.
The Anchormen moved to 12-2 on the season and 4-0 in conference play while the Huskies fell to 5-9 and 1-3 respectively.
Tirrell Hill led the balanced Anchormen stat sheet with 19 points on 9 of 13 shooting, while USM senior forward Jamaal Caterina (Portland) scored a career high 18 points and snatched 12 rebounds to lead the Huskies.
The Huskies led much of the first half thanks to strong efforts by senior forward Drew Coppenrath (Barnet, VT) and Caterina, but when Caterina committed his second foul at the 11 minute mark in the period Coach Karl Henrikson sat him for the remainder of the half. Following his departure, the Huskies lost their offensive continuity and the lead for good with 4:43 left in the half.
The Anchormen augmented their offensive prowess by utilizing a stifling man-to-man defense that forced the Huskies to commit 20 turnovers and that led to a 21-9 advantage in points off turnovers.
“Even though we were scoring, they were running it up our backs and scoring too,” Caterina said after his breakout performance.
Rhode Island College’s guard combination of Atone Gray and Hill were the main perpetrators in that offensive onslaught. They used their quickness and ball-handling to split the USM defense and create transition opportunities, which led to 44 points in the paint compared to only 18 for the Huskies.
Henrikson was impressed with the play of Caterina, but noted that with new players coming on board after first semester, it will take time to integrate new pieces and restore team chemistry.
“Jamaal is great athlete who can play any position on the floor at any time,” Henrikson said, “But with new components we had trouble getting guys to score when we needed them to score.”
In addition to Caterina, seniors Nick Gooding (Concord, CA and Foster Oakley (Mt. Vernon) joined the team following first semester per NCAA eligibility rules.
Rhode Island College also held the Huskies’ leading scorer, Coppenrath, to just 10 points on just 5 of 15 shooting.
“They had him very well scouted,” said Henrikson, “they closed out so quickly and no shots were available.”
Anchorman center Wil Lyons also contributed 16 points on 6 of 9 shooting from the floor and was the benefactor of the penetration by Gray and Hill which resulted in lay-ups and close range jump shots for the Rhode Island College frontcourt.
Caterina’s return to the game in the second half temporarily revitalized the struggling Huskies as they traded baskets with the Anchormen, but they had no answer for the run-and-gun offense of the Anchormen or the pressure defense.
“They beat Division I Holy Cross to start the season,” Henrikson added, “They are for real.”
Senior guard Josh Daniels (Everett, WA) added six points to the effort while sharing the ball-handling responsibilities with freshmen guards Luke Pollack (Eliot) and Troy Jellison (Bangor) against the high-intensity Rhode Island College defense.
The Huskies are in action again at UMass Boston on Jan. 22 in Boston before returning to Hill Gymnasium on Jan. 26 to take on conference rival Keene State.