WHAT IT MEANS

Rhode Island dropped the championship game of the UCF Holiday Classic, 65-54, to the host Knights on Friday night.  The loss dropped Rhody to 0-6 on the road this season and moved the Rams to 2-12 overall on the season. 

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE AND BEYOND

* Mike Powell had the best game of his young Rhody career, pouring in a game and career high 21 points.  He also added four rebounds, three assists and three steals in 38 minutes.

* Jonathan Holton blocked a game-high three shots.  Over his last three games, the 6-9 freshman from Miami has recorded seven swats.

* T.J. Buchanan added seven points, four boards, and two assists in 32 minutes.

* Along with Dominique McKoy (2 pts/2 reb, 17 min.), Rhody's freshmen combined to score 39 of the 54 points, connecting on 15-of-27 from the floor, while totalling 15 rebounds, six assists, and four steals.

* Orion Outerbridge tied his career-high with 10 rebounds.  The 6-9 senior added eight points and two blocks.

* Both Powell and Outerbridge were named to the UCF Holiday Classic All-Tournament team, along with UCF's Isaiah Sykes and Marcus Jordan.

* A day after Rhody enjoyed one of its best shooting performances of the season, they struggled to score from the floor.  The Rams were just 21-of-59 from the floor, and were 5-for-21 from the perimeter.

* After a Billy Baron 3-pointer with 4:03 to play cut the UCF lead to six – at 57-51 – Rhody went completely cold from the floor, missing its next nine field goal attempts.

* Baron and Andre Malone combined to shoot 3-for-20 from the field (1-10 3FG).

* Rhody has now dropped both meetings against UCF.  In last year's CBI second round game in Orlando, the Rams fell 66-54.  Tonight's final score was 65-54.

WHAT'S NEXT

Rhode Island opens up the 2012 calendar year – and closes out the non-conference schedule – on Jan. 2 at Boston College.  Tipoff time at Conte Forum is set for 1 p.m. and the game can be seen live nationally on ESPN3.com.  This – and every – Rams' game can be heard live on the Beltone Hearing Aid Centers Rams Radio Network (WHJJ 920 AM), with Steve McDonald and Don Kaull.