What It Means:
Rhode Island fell to 2-6 in A-10 play after a 68-52 loss at VCU.  URI now falls to 0-5 in league games on the road.

The Kingston Rams jumped on the board quickly, with two baskets from Gilvydas Biruta less than two minutes into the game.  Both Rhody and VCU traded baskets for the next 10 minutes of play, trading the lead three times.  

After a T.J. Buchanan layup with 11:59 left, Rhode Island went ice cold from the floor.  VCU scored 13 unanswered points, until a Biruta free throw ended the run with 4:58 left.

But Rhode Island would not let up.  In the second half, URI's defensive effort held VCU to just six field goals and 20.7% shooting from the field (6-29).

Inside the Box Score and Beyond:
* Jarelle Reischel led Rhody with 11 points - nine coming in the second half.  The sophomore was limited to just 13 minutes of play after being whistled for four first half fouls.

* For Reischel, it marks the first time this season he has registered back-to-back double-digit scoring games.

* Xavier Munford was the other Ram in double figures, with 10 points.  He also 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).

* Two other Rams were close to registering double-doubles.  Biruta finished with nine points and a career-best 14 rebounds, while Hassan Martin had eight points, nine boards, and four blocks.

* With those four blocks, Martin cracks the URI single-season top 10 list.  The freshman now has 50 blocks on the season.  The Rhody freshman record is 63, set by Kenny Green during the 1986-87 season.

* T.J. Buchanan played 27 minutes and had nine points and four rebounds.  With one assist to just four turnovers, it marked just the third time he had more turnovers than assists in a game this season.

* VCU's pressure defense played a role in the Rams' 20 turnovers.  It was the second time this season that URI had 20 or more turnovers.

Stat of the Day:
7 - Gilvydas Biruta grabbed seven offensive rebounds for the game - the second-highest single game total this season.  Ifeanyi Onyekaba has eight offensive boards in the season opener vs. Maine.

What's Next:
Rhode Island will host Massachusetts on Sunday afternoon in the first of two meetings between the two schools.  UMass is URI's third-most common opponent, having met 140 previous times on the hardwood.

The Rams and Minutemen face off on CBS Sports Network, beginning at 4 p.m.  Dave Ryan and Pete Gillen will have 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.  The pre-game show begins at 3:30 p.m.