PROVIDENCE, R.I. (courtesy Rhode Island College sports information) - The Brandeis University men's basketball team got 15 points from rookie Carlin Haymon (Boston, Mass./Rivers School) and a double-double from junior Colby Smith (No. Andover, Mass./No. Andover), but it wasn't enough to overcome Rhode Island College senior guard Eric Alleyne's (Watertown, MA) career-high 21 points, as the Anchormen topped the Judges, 66-60, in the RIC's home opener at The Murray Center on Saturday afternoon.
Brandeis (0-2) jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead after Haymon took a feed from sophomore guard Tim Reale (Mason, Ohio/St. Andrews, R.I., School) and buried a three-pointer just 2:11 into the game. The Anchormen (3-1) battled back and a layup by senior Patrick Matthews (Waipahu, HI) with 15:22 remaining capped a 4-0 RIC run to make the score 5-4.
The teams traded baskets the remainder of the half, with neither team gaining more than a four point lead. A pair of late free throws by Smith evened the score at 23 apiece, which is where it remained heading into the locker room.
RIC shot 36.0 percent (9-for-25) from the field in the half, while shooting 30.0 percent (3-for-10) from three-point land and 66.7 percent (2-for-3) from the free throw line.
Brandeis shot 56.3 percent (9-for-16) from the field and 37.5 percent (3-for-8) from the free throw line, while shooting 33.3 percent (2-for-6) from long range.
The Anchormen and Judges traded baskets until midway through the second half when the hosts opened up a seven point lead, 43-36, following a Matthews' free throw. The Anchormen increased the lead to as large as nine, but Brandeis battled back with some hot shooting from rookie guard Nate Meehan (Lowell, Mass./Phillips Andover), whose 3-pointer off a feed from Smith cut the RIC lead down to two, 54-52, with 3:53 remaining. Alleyne sealed the game down the stretch by converting on four free throw opportunities.
Haymon's 15 points, six rebounds and three assists led the Judges. Smith recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Brandeis shot 47.6 percent (20-for-42) from the field, 44.4 percent (8-for-18) from behind the arc and 54.5 percent (12-for-22) from the free throw line.
RIC was paced by Alleyne's 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting, three assists and one steal. Freshman guard Roosevelt Shider (Meriden, CT) chipped in 12 points and five boards, while classmate guard Jerelle Washington (Providence, RI) contributed 11 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out three assists. The Anchormen shot 38.3 percent (23-for-60) from the field, 28.6 percent (6-for-21) from downtown and 63.6 percent (14-for-22) from the charity stripe.
Brandeis is back on the road Tuesday night at 6 p.m. at Lasell.