Kourouma Leads RIC Past UMass Dartmouth in LEC Men’s Basketball Quarterfinal

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.

Rhode Island College 80, UMass Dartmouth 64

Rhode Island College (15-10)

UMass Dartmouth (9-16)

• 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.

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.).