Rhody Starters
Matthews, Dowtin, Robinson, Terrell, Dowtin

Dayton Starters
Cunningham, D. Davis, Landers, J. Davis, Crutcher

How It Happened
Rhode Island clinched its first outright Atlantic 10 regular-season championship in program history, running away from Dayton in the second half to win 81-56 Friday night.

The Rams – who won their program-record 15th conference game of the season – led by two points at halftime, 36-34. After an initial spurt opened up a 15-point lead less the seven minutes into the second half, Rhode Island (23-4, 15-1 A-10) used a 22-4 run to push the lead to as many as 31 points and emphatically put the game away.

Inside the Box Score

• The win clinched Rhode Island's first-ever outright Atlantic 10 regular-season title.
• The 15 conference wins also set a new program record. The Rams won 14 A-10 games in the Sweet 16 season of 1987-88.
• The victory was Rhody's 15th the Ryan Center this season, which ties URI's single season record for home wins. Rhody also won 15 home games in 2009-10.
• Sophomore Jeff Dowtin had his second straight 20-point performance. He was 9-of-11 from the floor.
• Dowtin also dished out five assists and had two steals. It was the seventh time this season he has played 30-plus minutes without turning the ball over.
• Redshirt senior E.C. Matthews scored 18 points, going 8-of-12 from the field. He added five rebounds and two steals.
• Senior Jared Terrell scored 17 points and had four steals.
• Redshirt senior Stanford Robinson had five steals, four rebounds, four points and drew two charges on the defensive end.
• Robinson became the fourth Ram in program history to record 60 steals in a season. He now has 64, which is the second most in a season in team history, behind only Tom Garrick's 88 in 1987-88.
• The Rams had a season-high 15 steals, which led to 24 points.
• Senior Andre Berry had an efficient night, scoring nine points on 3-of-3 shooting from the floor and 3-of-4 at the freee throw line in 11 minutes.  
• Freshman Fatts Russell blocked a shot. For real.

What's Next
Rhode Island hosts Saint Joseph's Tuesday, Feb. Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. Before the game, the team will honor its senior players - E.C. Matthews, Jarvis Garrett, Stanford Robinson, Jared Terrell and Andre Berry, as well as senior manager Owen Sammarone.