Dec. 1, 1999

Box Score

PROVIDENCE, R.I.(AP) - Ivan Bracic scored 19 points and Rhode Island overcame a stretch of sloppy play in the second half Wednesday night to defeat Brown 77-70.

Rhode Island (3-2) led 60-47 with 11:04 remaining when it turned the ball over seven times in its next eight possessions. But Brown (0-3) failed to capitalize, missing several open shots and only managed to narrow the lead to 60-54 on a 3-point basket by Travis Brown.

Brown rallied one more time when Alai Nuualiitia scored twice to pull the Bears to 69-66 with 1:48 left. But a Zach Marbury layup plus a three-point play from Tip Vinson put the game away for Rhode Island.

Freshman Earl Hunt scored a season-high 22 points for Brown and Nuualiitia added 19.

Vinson scored 16 while Marbury added 14 plus eight assists for Rhode Island.

The first half was highlighted by separate scoring runs by each team.

Brown led 13-12 when Bracic sparked Rhode Island on a 25-2 run which gave the Rams a 34-15 lead. Bracic scored 11 points during this stretch, including a trio of 3-point shots.

The Bears then switched from a zone to a man-to-man defense, producing four Ram turnovers on a 19-6 Brown streak. A basket by Josh Meyer pulled the Bears within 40-34 at halftime.