Rhode Island Starters
Russell, Sheppard, Betrand, Walker, Makhel Mitchell
 
George Mason Starters
Miller, Wilson, Oduro, Kolek, Greene
 
How it Happened
Rhode Island played its best half of the season and pulled away from George Mason late Saturday, grabbing an 80-60 victory Saturday.

The score was tied at the break, but Rhode Island (7-7, 4-3 Atlantic 10) warmed up in the second half. The Rams shot 53.6 percent from the floor as a team – including 4-of-8 from 3-point range – as it outscored the Patriots (6-6, 2-4 A-10) by 20 points. Sophomore Makhel Mitchell – who finished with a double-double – scored 12 points and grabbed eight boards after halftime to lead the Rams.

Meanwhile, the defense stifled George Mason in the second half. The visitors shot just 30.6 percent in the second half and were 2-of-16 from the perimeter. George Mason missed its final six shots and ended the game on a 1-for-11 skid as Rhode Island coasted to the win.
 
Inside the Box Score

• After committing nine turnovers in the first half, Rhode Island had just three in the second half. The 12 miscues were URI's fewest since having 11 against Davidson on Dec. 18.
• Sophomore Makhel Mitchell recorded his first career double-double, finishing with 14 points and 10 rebounds. He had 12 points and eight boards after halftime.
• In the second half, Mitchell was 8-for-9 at the free throw line.
• Senior Fatts Russell had 18 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals. He was 3-for-5 from 3-point range.
• With the two steals, Russell became the third Ram in program history to reach 200, joining Keith Cothran and Tyson Wheeler. Russell needs eight more to break Cothran's program record.
• Redshirt junior Antwan Walker just missed a double-double, finishing with 17 points and nine rebounds.
• Redshirt junior D.J. Johnson had an impressive plus/minus of +20 in 20 minutes off the bench. He scored five points, grabbed four rebounds and blocked a pair of shots.
• Junior Malik Martin had five points, three rebounds, three steals, two blocked shots and two assists in a strong all-around performance.
• Freshman Ishmael Leggett had four points, five rebounds and an assist.
• Junior Jeremy Sheppard had nine points and three assists.
• Walk-ons Umberto Brusadin and Brandon Borde made their Rhode Island debuts, playing the final minute.

Up Next
Rhode Island hits the road for a game at Duquesne on Wednesday, Jan. 20. The game will be played at La Roche University and will stream on ESPN+.