PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Vermont State University men's basketball was unable to hold onto a hot start as it fell to Rhode Island College on Saturday afternoon, 98-87. Ben Seiler and Will Radcliff each poured in 22 points in the Spartans' efforts.

It was Radcliff that opened his team's scoring as he put up back-to-back three-pointers to tie the game 6-6 (18:20). This was followed up by a Zach Thompson layup and a pair of treys for Seiler to lead 14-6. Seiler started the contest 3-5 from distance in the first half, also adding six points on jumpers. The hosts worked a quiet comeback, taking the lead on a Jalen Claude three, 21-18 at 12:15. The Anchormen outscored the Spartans 36-22 down the stretch to own a 57-40 advantage heading into halftime.

The pair traded blows to keep the advantage around 17-points before a six-point run by RIC say it up by 21, 75-54 (12:08). The contest remained spread until the final five minutes when a three-pointer by Crisrael Lithgow ignited a 12-6 run in favor of the Spartans to cut the lead to nine-points, 94-85 (3:24). Both defenses played well in the final minutes, only letting up six combined points to see the Anchormen to a 98-87 victory.

Radcliff collected his seventh double-double of the season as he paired a team-high 11 rebounds with his 22 points. He also added five assists, three steals and one block to the stat sheet. Lithgow and Justin Schwarzbeck each added 10 points of their own. Leading the team in helpers was Conner McKearin with seven. McKearin also put up five points and corralled two steals.

The Spartans will return to Glenbrook Gym on Saturday, February first as they are set to host the Wolves of Western Connecticut in a 4 p.m. Little East Conference matchup.