Feb. 20, 2001

Box Score

AMHERST, Mass. (AP) - Massachusetts center Kitwana Rhymer spoiled Rhode Island coach Jerry DeGregorio's return to the sideline as the Minutemen defeated the Rams, 82-67, Tuesday night in Atlantic 10 action.

DeGregorio, who resigned last week but is expected to finish the season, returned after missing two games due to exhaustion. Assistant coach George Blaney served as the head coach in his absence

Rhymer broke out of his five-game scoring slump as his career-high 30 points led UMass, which outscored URI, 65-32 in the paint. His total was more than the 22 he had scored in the last five game combined.

The win moved the Minutemen (12-12, 10-3 A-10) into a second place tie with Xavier in the conference standings. The loss assured the Rams (5-22, 1-13) of their second straight last place finish in the Atlantic 10.

Jackie Rogers added 18 for UMass while Zach Marbury led the Rams with 19.

The Minutemen closed the first half on a 12-4 run to lead 44-31 and maintained a double-digit the rest of the way.