Box Score

Dec 1, 2001

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - John Linehan broke out of a slump by scoring 13 points and adding five steals Saturday night to give Providence a 71-59 victory over Rhode Island.

Abdul Mills added 12 points and Christopher Anrin 10 for the Friars (5-2).

Dustin Hellenga led Rhode Island (3-2) with 15 points and Steve Mello chipped in with 14.

The teams started slowly, but the Friars scored 19 points off 15 Rhode Island turnovers to take a 35-17 halftime lead. Providence coach Tim Welsh started four shooters to try to jump start the team's offense, but Providence still shot only 33 percent for the game.

The Rams were even worse, shooting 21 percent. Brian Woodward, the team's leading scorer, was held to one point.

The Friars broke the game open with a 10-1 run to start the second half, extending the lead to 45-18 with about 16 minutes left.

The Rams, using a full-court press, scrapped to within 66-53 with 2:11 left.