Worcester, Mass. – Visiting Rhode Island College, ranked No. 18 in the latest d3hoops.com national poll, shot 52 percent from the field and controlled the glass en route to a 74-63 win over Clark University in non-league men's basketball action on Thursday evening.

With the win the Anchormen improve to an impressive 17-3 overall, while the Cougars now sit at 10-9.

Rhode Island College came out of the gate fast, racing to a quick 12-4 lead following a steal and thunderous two-handed dunk on the break by Chris Burton (New Rochelle, N.Y.).

Clark clawed its way back and took a 22-19 lead with less than ten minutes to play in the half on a Marcus Armstrong (Malden, Mass.) three-pointer.

The Anchormen immediately took the lead back on hoops by Jacob Page (Brookline, Mass.) and Burton and they built their lead to as many as five on a few occasions as the half wound down, the last coming on another Burton steal and acrobatic finish above the rim before a D.J. Bailey (Palmer, Mass.) hoop made the score 36-33 at the half.

Things continued to stay close and the Cougars took a brief 41-40 lead on a layup by Nicholas DaPrato (Marshfield, Mass.) four minutes into the second stanza.

DaPrato tied things up at 44-44 minutes later, but baskets by Tahrike Carter (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Steven Roberts (New Haven, Conn.) gave RIC some breathing room.

Clark refused to go away and back-to-back three-pointers from Brian Vayda (Sturbridge, Mass.) and DaPrato and a Vayda free throw gave the Cougars another lead, this one at 55-54 with less than nine minutes to play.

The Anchormen responded, however, and went on a game-sealing 12-3 run over a five minute span that turned their one-point deficit into a 66-58 lead with 4:30 to play. Carter played a huge role in the run, sinking a three-pointer and dropping in a pair of tough inside hoops, while Nyheem Sanders (Pawtucket, R.I.) added a triple of his own and a difficult finish on the interior.

The Cougars meanwhile struggled to make baskets down the stretch and went the final 4:06 without a made shot and made only three in the final ten minutes of action.

RIC saw its lead balloon to as many as 14 as time wound down before Armstrong connected on three free throws to make up the difference.

The Anchormen held a 44-33 edge on the glass and a 32-20 advantage in bench points.

Clark shot 40 percent from the field for the game and just 36 percent (10-for-28) in the final 20 minutes.

Burton led all scorers with 20 points, six rebounds and four steals, while Carter totaled 14 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Sanders chipped in with 16 points and Roberts added six points and six boards off the bench.

The Cougars were again led by the interior duo of Bailey (16 points, six rebounds and three blocks) and Vayda (17 points, six rebounds and three assists) as the combined to shoot 14-for-27 from the field.

DaPrato finished with 11 points and Tyler Veretto (South Windsor, Conn.) continued his outstanding play of late, helping out with seven points and four rebounds.

Both teams will return to their respective leagues for conference matchups on Saturday. RIC visits UMass-Boston for a Little East tilt, while the Cougars travel to Babson for a crucial NEWMAC matchup.