Jan 29, 2003

Box Score

NEW YORK (AP) - Brian Woodward had 25 points, 12 rebounds and three steals to lead Rhode Island over Fordham 76-68 Wednesday night.

Woodward scored 17 of his 25 points in the second half and finished the game nine of 10 from the foul line. Jon Clark added 12 points and nine rebounds for Rhode Island (12-5, 4-2 Atlantic 10), including six points in a 13-5 run late in the second half that put the Rams up 71-63 with 1:23 left in the game.

Rhode Island finished with a 53-37 rebounding edge as it won for the fifth time in six games. Steve Mello and Jamaal Wise each scored 11 points for Rhode Island.

Michael Haynes scored 17 points as Fordham (2-16, 1-6) lost its sixth in a row. Glenn Batemon added 13 points.

The game was tied at 58 before two-straight layups from Clark sparked a 13-5 run to put Rhode Island up 71-63. Fordham would cut the lead to five on two occassions in the final minute, but Rhode Island connected on three-of-six free throws down the stretch.

Rhode Island opened the game with a 15-7 lead seven minutes into the game but Fordham would use a 9-0 run to turn a 17-11 deficit into a 20-17 lead with 9:03 left in the half. Drew Williamson led the Fordham run with five points.

Rhode Island would come back to take a five-point lead, 34-29, on a jumper from Wise with 2:07 remaining in the half. But Fordham would outscore Rhode Island 8-1 the rest of the half to take a 37-35 lead at the break.

Haynes led Fordham with 17 points and eight rebounds while Glenn Batemon added 13 points and three blocks and Drew Williamson (11) and Mark Jarrell-Wright (10) each scored in double figures.

Rhode Island travels to Philadelphia for a game at Saint Joseph's on Saturday at 1 p.m.