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University of Rhode Island

Men's Basketball

Rhody Returns Home on Wednesday Night, Hosts George Mason at 8 p.m.

Watch Live: CBS Sports Network - James Bates / Steve Lappas

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Gamenotes: Rhode Island/George Mason (pdf)

Buy Tickets:  ExperienceRhody.com (online) / Ryan Center box office (401) 874-RAMS

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TONIGHT'S GAME - GEORGE MASON

  • Tonight marks the second time that Rhode Island and George Mason meet on the hardwood.
  • Last season, the Patriots earned a 92-90 overtime victory in the season opener on Nov. 9, 2011 in Fairfax.
  • Mason assistant coach Roland Houston is a 1982 graduate of Rhode Island.

RHODE ISLAND IN NON-CONFERENCE PLAY

  • Since joining the Eastern 8 in the 1980-81 season, URI has posted a 248-203 mark in non-conference play.
  • Dating back to the 2006-07 season, the Rams have posted a 65-41 record versus out-of-conference opponents.

RHODE ISLAND VERSUS THE CAA

  • Rhode Island is 11-3 against CAA teams since the league was formed in 1985.
  • URI was 2-2 against the CAA last year, with wins over Hofstra and James Madison and losses to George Mason and Georgia State.  
  • The Rams will also face Georgia State at home on Dec. 22, closing out a home-and-home series.
  • Rhody has faced at least one CAA opponent in each of the last six seasons.

RHODE ISLAND AT THE THOMAS M. RYAN CENTER

  • This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Ryan Center - the home of URI men's and women's basketball.
  • URI holds a 103-55 (.652) regular season record in the Ryan Center since the arena opened for play on Nov. 26, 2002 with a 73-71 victory over USC.
  • Last season's victory over Hofstra on Nov. 25, 2011 was the 100th on the Ryan Center floor.
  • The Rams have won 11 or more home games on five occasions - including a program-record 15 in 2009-10.

X MARKS THE SPOT - SCORES CAREER-HIGH 33 AT AUBURN

  • Xavier Munford poured in a career-high 33 points at Auburn on Nov. 25, including a buzzer-beating, game-tying 27-footer which forced the second overtime period.
  • It was the first 30-point performance by a Rhode Island player since Jamal Wilson went for 38 against George Mason on Nov. 9, 2011 - the 2011-12 season opener.
  • Munford's eight 3-pointers were the most in a single-game since March 12, 2009, when Jimmy Baron knocked down eight triples against Duquesne.
  • Additionally, Munford's eight treys tied him for the second-highest single-game 3-point total in school history, along with Baron (three times), Tyson Wheeler, Cuttino Mobley, and current Rhody assistant Preston Murphy.
  • His 24 field goal attempts tie him with Dawan Robinson (vs. Fordham, Feb. 12, 2006) for the eighth-most by a URI player in a single-game.
  • He also added five rebounds, two steals and an assist in 44 minutes of play in the double overtime victory.

LAST TIME OUT - RHODE ISLAND 78, AUBURN 72 (2 OT) - NOVEMBER 25

  • Xavier Munford poured in a career-high 33 points in the victory.  The biggest three points of that total came at the end of the first overtime period.  The 6-2 guard drained a 3-pointer as time expired, forcing the second and final five minutes of play.
  • Munford connected on eight 3-pointers - the most since Jimmy Baron connected on eight treys against Duquesne on March 12, 2009.
  • Rhody had two others in double-figures - Andre Malone with 13 points and Nikola Malesevic adding in 19 points off the bench.
  • For Malone, the return to Auburn was sweet.  The 6-6 senior from Atlanta was efficient - 4-9 FG (3-5 3FG), eight rebounds, three assists (no turnovers), and one steal in 42 minutes.
  • Malesevic connected on several key baskets in crucial situations.  With under a minute to play in the second OT, he drilled a 3-pointer from the top of the key with under a minute to play, making it a two-possession game for the Rams.  He iced the victory with two free throws with under six seconds on the clock.
  • Alwayne Bigby subbed in during the first OT period and came up with an crucial steal.  Down four with 27 seconds left, the graduate transfer from Toronto stole a botched inbounds pass by AU's Allen Payne, which led to a jumper by Munford with 23 ticks in the period.
  • As a team, Rhode Island connected on 13 3-pointers - the most since the Rams hit 12 treys against Miami (Ohio) on March 16, 2011.
  • After allowing Auburn to shoot 63.6% (14-22) from the floor in the first half, Rhody's defense locked down and held the Tigers to just 35.0% (14-40 shooting through the second half and two OT periods.

TODAY'S RHODE ISLAND BASKETBALL FACT(S) YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT

  • Today's theme:  Overtime games
  • Rhody has played in two overtime games this season - Loyola (Md.) on Nov. 23 and a double OT win at Auburn (Nov. 25).
  • Last year, Rhode Island played in five OT games (six total OT periods) - the most since the 1985-86 campaign.  
  • That year, URI played in six overtime games (seven total OT periods).
  • Over the last five seasons, the Rams have played in 15 overtime games and are 7-8 in those contests.
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