WHAT IT MEANS

Rhode Island takes down its second straight first-place A-10 opponent, this time over Massachusetts – 81-78 in overtime.  The win also snaps a three-game slide versus the Minutemen.  It marks the first time this season that the Rams have strung together back-to-back wins, as they move to 2-6 overall in league play.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE AND BEYOND

* Orion Outerbridge put forth his finest effort in a Rhode Island uniform, pouring a career-high 29 points and tying his career-best in rebounding with 11.

* The 6-9 senior also blocked three shots in 41 minutes of action.  He now has 90 career blocks – two shy of cracking URI's all-time top 10 list.

* It was Outerbridge's fourth double-double of the season and the fifth of his career.

* It also marks the fourth consecutive game in which a Rhody player registered a double-double.  Jonathan Holton had the honor in the previous three.

* Holton was plagued by fouls tonight, playing just 24 minutes.  He grabbed four boards and blocked two shots.

* Nikola Malesevic added 19 points, five rebounds, four assists, a blocked shot and three steals.  He scored 14 of his 19 in the second half and overtime period.

* Freshmen Dominique McKoy and T.J. Buchanan both shined at key points of the contest.  McKoy tallied season-highs in points (10) and rebounds (7), while dishing out two assists in 21 minutes.

* All five of Buchanan's points came at crucial moments.  He converted a run-out layup off a McKoy steal as time expired in the first half.  He also buried a 3-pointer in front of the Rhody bench with 2:45 left in regulation, which gave the Rams a 63-62 lead.

* Tonight was URI's fifth overtime game (six total OT periods) – the most since the 1985-86 campaign.  That year, the Rams played six overtime games (seven total OT periods).

WHAT'S NEXT

Rhode Island hosts Temple at 2 p.m. on Saturday in a nationally televised contest on ESPN2.  Marc Kestecher and LaPhonso Ellis will have the call for the Worldwide Leader.

This and every Rams game can also be heard on the Beltone Hearing Aid Centers Rams Radio Network (WHJJ 920 AM; The Wolf 102.3 FM) with Steve McDonald and Don Kaull.

For tickets, visit ExperienceRhody.com.