Feb. 28, 2001

Box Score

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (AP) - Tavorris Bell tied a career-high with 29 points to lead Rhode Island to an 86-75 win over Duquesne on Wednesday night, snapping a seven-game losing streak.

Duquesne (9-20, 3-13 Atlantic 10) pulled within 70-61 of Rhode Island (6-22, 2-13) on a dunk by Jamal Hunter with 4:20 to play. Rhode Island answered with a three-point play by Bell to go ahead 73-61 and kept the lead in double-digits the rest of the way.

It was the final home game for Rhode Island coach Jerry DeGregorio, who announced his resignation in mid-February and was recently hospitalized for exhaustion.

"It was real big for coach. We knew that this was it for him in Keaney (Gym), and we didn't want him to go out on a bad note," Bell said. "He just wanted us to go out and play and not worry about him."

DeGregorio's record at Rhode Island is now 11-47.

"It's been a real emotional and painful two years for me and these kids," said DeGregorio who served two years as an assistant before his two as head coach. "I told the kids that I appreciated their effort and I'm glad they didn't quit on me. It's been a great four years here."

After taking a 42-34 lead into the half, Rhode Island went ahead 50-36 with an 8-2 run to start the second half. Rhode Island's biggest lead of the game was 53-37 with 15:20 to play when Dinno Daniels threw an alley-oop to Bell, who was fouled and made the free throw.

Rhode Island went on a 20-4 run late in the first half to take a 42-31 lead. Zach Marbury's 3-pointer with 1:30 left capped the run.

Brian Woodward, playing in his first game since injuring his knee on Dec. 30, scored 15 points, had four assists and five rebounds for Rhode Island. Daniels added 16 points and eight assists. Wayne Smith led Duquesne with 20 points and 10 rebounds.