Nov. 18, 2000

Box Score

KINGSTON, R.I. (AP) - Zach Marbury led five Rhode Island players in double figures with 21 points as the Rams ended a 13-game losing streak with an 86-61 win over Fairfield in their season opener Saturday

Brian Woodward scored 14, Marcus Evans and Tavorris Bell each had 13 points and Dinno Daniels scored 11 for Rhode Island.

Rhode Island jumped ahead 15-4 in the first six minutes and led 47-33 at halftime. Brian Woodward had 14 of his points before intermission.

Fairfield (0-2) cut Rhode Island's lead to 22-17 on Dan Galvanoni's jumper 10:31 before the break. But a 3-pointer by Woodward 16 seconds later started a 20-7 Rhode Island run over the next 7:22 to put the Rams ahead 42-25.

In the second half, Galvanoni hit a 3-pointer with 18:38 left to cut the lead to 47-36, but the Rams gradually built the lead throughout the second half. Rhode Island moved ahead 65-45 with 8:45 remaining when Evans got the Rams' second straight fast-break dunk off a steal.

Oscar Garcia led Fairfield with 15 points, including 11 in the first half. The Stags were without Jermaine Clark, their top returning scorer from last season, who had a shoulder injury.