How It Happened
In a back-and-forth first half battle that saw nine lead changes and seven ties - as well as neither team leading by more than four points - North Carolina A&T (1-2) took a 33-32 lead into the break thanks to its 50-percent (12-24) showing from the field.

Still trailing by one (38-37) in the second frame, Xavier Munford sparked a 16-0 Rhody run as he netted four straight attempts from the line, following a technical foul by NC A&T's Jerome Simmons. Rhody cruised from that point on, leading by 15-or-more the rest of the way and finishing on top, 72-59.

Inside the Box Score

• Three different players scored in double figures for the Rams, including freshman E.C. Matthews who led all players with a game-and career-high 18 points. 
• Matthews also registered a team-best six rebounds and four assists on the night. Overall, he was 6-of-11 from the field and 5-for-7 from the line.
• Senior Xavier Munford and sophomore Jarelle Reischel finished with 13 and 12 points, respectively. Each player had two assists and two steals on the night as well. 
• Freshman Hassan Martin finished with six points on 3-of-3 shooting while also pulling down five rebounds for the Rams.
• Rhode Island outrebounded North Carolina A&T, 37-27, and held a 12-9 advantage on the offensive glass. 
• Rhody finished the night 46.9-percent (23-49) from the field while the Rams' defense held North Carolina A&T to a 36-percent (9-25) second half.
• All 15 players that dressed for Rhode Island saw time on the floor with nine different Rams contributing to the scoing. 
• Rhody's bench combined for a season-high 39 points. URI has now recorded 30+ bench points in each of its three games this season.

Quotable

Head coach Dan Hurley:  "It was a good bounce back for us, particularly in the second half. I thought we guarded much better and I thought we put the lingering effects of a poor performance on Monday behind us.  What gets me excited as a coach is that arguably two of our top guys that we expect production from aren't at their best, in Gilvydas and Xavier."
 
E.C. Matthews:  "I always come into the game believing in myself and Coach Hurley believes in me.  He just tells me to go out and play."
 
Hurley on the play of Matthews: "I think, game-by-game, E.C. has gotten much better defensively which has helped him improve offensively."
 
T.J. Buchanan – "I just try to come in and do the little things. I know we've got a lot of talented guards on this team so I know my role and I accept it for our team to win."
 

Hurley on the play of Buchanan and the bench:  "Guys are being put into pressure situations and we've got guys stepping up to help us win games."

What's Next
The Rams return to action in Tucson, Ariz. on Monday night when they take on Division II power Metro State in the first round of the NIT Season Tipoff. Depending on the outcome of the game, Rhode Island will face either FDU or Arizona on Tuesday night.

There is no television for Monday's game, but as always, the game can be heard live on the University of Rhode Island Radio Network, powered by Beltone Hearing Aid Centers. Tune into B101 (101.5 FM) to hear Steve McDonald and Don Kaull provide the broadcast call, beginning with Monday's pre-game show at 7:30 p.m. ET.