How It Happened
Rhode Island (7-5) jumped out quickly and never looked back, defeating New Hampshire 62-45 Sunday afternoon.

The Rams opened the game on a 22-2 run, as New Hampshire (2-9) missed its first 14 field goal attempts. Rhode Island established a 10-point lead less than five minutes into the game, pushing the lead to as many as 20 on a Gilvydas Biruta free throw with 8:35 left in the half.

The closest New Hampshire got the rest of the way was 13. The 45 points was the fewest allowed by Rhode Island since a 45-44 win over Fordham on Feb. 3, 2007.

Inside the Box Score

• Junior Gilvydas Biruta scored recorded his second straight double-double, finishing with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Biruta had 14 points and 10 boards in Rhody's last game at Detroit on Dec. 8.
• Sophomore Biggie Minnis reached double figures for the second time as a Ram, scoring 13 points. He also five rebounds, four assists and one steal.
• Senior Xavier Munford gave the Rams a third player in double figures, scoring 11 points.
• Junior T.J. Buchanan had five points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals in 22 minutes off the bench.
• Freshman Matthew Butler played a career-high 14 minutes. He made a 3-point basket and added two rebounds and one assist.
• Rhode Island held New Hampshire to just two field goals in the first half, as the Wildcats shot 2-for-21 (9.5 percent) from the floor. It was the fourth time this year UNH has made five or fewer field goals in a half.

Stat of the Day
2 – New Hampshire had just two field goals in the first half. It was the second fewest by any team in Division I this season. Hartford had just one field goal in the first half of its game against Holy Cross on Nov. 24.

What's Next
Rhode Island is back in the Ryan Center to host Southern Miss Saturday, Dec. 28 at 2 p.m.