What It Means:
Rhode Island dropped its first game versus Dayton since Jan. 9, 2008 tonight in a 76-69 decision at UD Arena.  The loss snapped a seven-game win streak against the Flyers as the two teams split their 2013-14 regular season series.

The Rams fall to 11-14 overall and 2-8 in the league.  They have dropped four in a row - the longest stretch of the season as Rhody drops to 0-5 in road conference games.

Inside the Box Score and Beyond:
* E.C. Matthews led all scorers with 22 points.  The leading candidate for A-10 Rookie of the Year posted his second consecutive 20+ point performance and sixth since the month of January.

* Matthews was 8-14 from the floor (2-2 3FG) to go along with three rebounds and four assists in a full 40 minutes of play.

* Hassan Martin - another of the A-10's top freshmen registered his second double-double of the season, with 14 points (6-9 FG) and a career-best 13 rebounds.  Five of his 13 boards came on the offensive glass.

* Martin was credited with just two blocked shots - giving him 57 for the season, moving him to ninth on the URI single-season top 10 list.

* Rhody grabbed 10 offensive boards on the night, translating to 10 second-chance points.

* Xavier Munford was the third Ram in double figures, with 12 points.  Eight of his 12 points came in the first half.

* Gilvydas Biruta added nine points and six boards added five rebounds, two assists and two steals in 39 minutes.  The senior guard - who was leading the A-10 in scoring in conference games only - was 4-of-15 from the floor (1-of-7 3FG).

* The Rams connected on 52.1% of their field goal attempts vs. Dayton.  URI is now 2-2 in games in which it makes at least half of its shot attempts.

* While Rhody outrebounded UD on the count (32-29), the Flyers controlled the defensive glass, grabbing 17 of the Rams' 27 misses from the floor and the free throw line.

* As a team, Rhode Island committed 18 turnovers - translating to 18 points given away.  Seven of the eight players who saw action had at least one turnover.

Stats of the Day:
34 - Rhode Island outscored Dayton, 34-32, in points in the paint.Gilvydas

8 - URI attempted just eight 3-point field goals - the lowest single-game total since Dec. 5 vs. Providence.  The Rams put up just seven shots from beyond the arc vs. the Friars.

Quotable:
"I thought E.C. (Matthews) and Hassan (Martin) played like the two best freshmen in the league tonight.  They continue to grow and improve every time out there."
-- head coach Dan Hurley

What's Next:
Rhode Island will host Duquesne on Saturday afternoon.  Tipoff is set for noon.  The game can be seen live on OSN, with Eric Frede and Abu Bakr providing the call.

This - and every Rhody men's basketball game - can be heard live on the University of Rhode Island Radio Network, powered by Beltone Hearing Aid Centers.  Tune into Newsradio 920 (920 AM) to hear Steve McDonald and Don Kaull provide the call.