How It Happened
Rhode Island (6-2) won its third straight game and fifth in its last six by defeating McNeese State 76-71 in the final round of the NIT Season Tipoff.

The Rams led by 21 points after a 3-point shot by Jarelle Reischel with 12:45 to go. McNeese State (2-5) made a late run to close within three points at 72-69 with 20 seconds remaining, but Reischel hit a pair of free throws with 18 seconds left and Gilvydas Biruta made two free throws with seven seconds left to help Rhody survive the Cowboy rally.

Inside the Box Score

• Xavier Munford had 13 points in the first half and finished with a season-high 26. The 26 points is the most by any Ram this year. He has reached double figures seven times in eight games this season, including each of the last six games.
• Munford made a season-high six 3-point baskets, and has made eight over the last two games. In the first six games of the season, he was just 4-for-32 from beyond the arc.
• Gilvydas Biruta continued his improved play, finishing with 17 points and eight rebounds. It was his second straight game scoring in double figures.
• T.J. Buchanan (13) and Jarelle Reischel (11) each reached double digits, marking the second time this year Rhody has had at least four players score 10 or more in a game.
• For Buchanan, the 13 points matched a career best. He did most of his damage at the line, hitting all seven of his free throw attempts. Buchanan also had four rebounds and three assists
• Biggie Minnis had eight assists and five rebounds. His previous high as a Ram was five assists, which he did twice this season.
• Rhode Island had a season-best 16 assists on 22 field goals.
• Rhode Island made a season-high 10 3-point shots. In addition to six from Munford, Jarelle Reischel made two, while Mike Powell and Gilvydas Biruta each had one.
• Freshman E.C. Matthews and sophomore Biggie Minnis each made their first start as Rams. The opening lineup of Minnis, Matthews, Gilvydas Biruta, Ifeyani Onyekaba and Xavier Munford was just the second different lineup Rhody has used this season.

Stat of the Day
22-of-24 – Rhode Island made 22-of-24 free throw attempts (91.7 percent), including 16-for-17 in the second half.

What's Next
Rhode Island hits the road for a game at George Mason Saturday, Nov. 30. Game time is 4 p.m. Though both teams are in the Atlantic 10, it is a non-conference game.