Rhode Island Starters
Jeremy Sheppard, Ishmael Leggett, Makhi Mitchell, Makhel Mitchell, Ishmael El-Amin
 
Providence Starters
Nate Watson, Aljami Durham, Alyn Breed, A.J. Reeves, Noah Horchler
 
How it Happened 
Providence used its size to control the boards and create second-chance points to knock off Rhode Island 66-52 Saturday afternoon. Outrebounding the Rams 45-30, the host Friars used 20 offensive rebounds to score 18 second-chance points.

Providence (7-1) hit its first three 3-point shots while scoring the first nine points of the game. Noah Horchler made his first two attempts for the Friars.

Rhode Island (6-3) responded with a big run of its own. After Nate Watson scored with 13:20 left in the half to make the score 17-5 for the Friars, URI went on a 15-0 run to move in front, 20-17. Five different Rams scored during the run, led by Jeremy Sheppard's six points.  

Providence scored two straight baskets to end the scoreless stretch and move back in front by one point. Ileri Ayo-Faleye hit a layup with 4:30 remaining in the half to put Rhode Island ahead, 22-21. From there, Providence ended the half on a 14-2 run, most of which came from Ed Croswell. Croswell scored nine points during the run, helping the Friars take a 35-24 lead into the break.

The deficit got up to 17 when Justin Minaya's layup made the score 48-31. Rhode Island began to chip away from there. A 13-2 run for URI that featured back-to-back baskets by Sebastian Thomas got the Rams back within six points. Trailing 50-44 with 9:30 to go, Rhode Island. After a PC basket, Ishmael Leggett got it back down to six with a layup. Rhode Island got a defensive stop on the ensuing Friar possession, but the Rams came up empty offensively.

URI was unable to get any closer, and Providence steadily padded its lead down the stretch to take the latest installment in the in-state series.

Inside the Box Score

• This was the first time this season Rhode Island trailed at halftime.
• After allowing 10 points on 10 turnovers in the first half, Rhode Island had just four turnovers that led to four points in the second half.
• Of Providence's 18 second-chance points, 15 came in the first half.
• Jeremy Sheppard was the lone Ram to score in double figures, finishing with 10 points.
• Freshman Sebastian Thomas continued his strong play. In 13 minutes, he had four points, three asssits and one rebound.
• He recorded a plus-minus of +11, the best on the team.
• Makhel Mitchell had nine points and three rebounds, while Antwan Walker had eight points and four rebounds.
• Freshman Ileri Ayo-Faleye gave the team eight meaningful minutes off the bench with Makhi Mitchell and Makhel Mitchell both in foul trouble. Ayo-Faleye had two points, two blocked shots and one rebound.
• The points were the first of his career.

Up Next
The Rams return to the Ryan Center to host Sacred Heart on Tuesday, Dec. 7. Game time is 6 p.m.