Box Score
Rhode Island Starters
Jeremy Sheppard, Ishmael Leggett, Makhi Mitchell, Makhel Mitchell, Ishmael El-Amin
 
Massachusetts Starters
Trent Buttrick, Noah Fernandes, Rich Kelly, T.J. Weeks, Michael Steadman

How it Happened 
Rhode Island used an explosive first half to build a double-digit lead and then held Massachusetts at bay for an 81-66 road conference win Saturday afternoon.

The Rams (11-4, 2-1 A-10) used a 12-0 run in the first half to take a lead they never relinquished. Trailing 17-12 after a Noah Fernandes 3-pointer, Rhode Island ran off 12 straight points. Ishmael El-Amin started the run with a 3-pointer. Antwan Walker hit a jumper in the paint, followed by dunks from Makhel Mitchell and Jalen Carey. Walker converted a layup and free throw to cap the spurt with URI ahead 24-17. A pair of Michaal Steadman free throws temporarily slowed the Rams, but Rhody steadily built the lead and took a 14-point edge into the break, 43-29.

Shooting 51.5 percent from the field in the opening half, the Rams had 12 assists on 17 field goals. Meanwhile, the defense limited UMass (7-9, 0-4 A-10) to 8-for-27 from the field, including just 4-of-10 from long range.

The lead stayed in double digits for the bulk of the second half. UMass got hot from long range late, but the Minutemen never got closer than nine points as the Rams won their second straight contest.

Inside the Box Score

• Center Makhel Mitchell led four Rhode Island players in double digits with 20 points on 10-of-15 shooting. He also had five rebounds and four blocked shots.
• Guard Ishmael El-Amin broke out with 16 points, most of which came on 4-of-5 shooting from the arc.
• Guard Jalen Carey had one of his strongest games at Rhode Island, scoring 11 points to go with five rebounds off the bench. He shot 4-of-6 from the field and 3-for-3 at the line.
• Guard Malik Martin had a Malik Martin game, scoring 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting and grabbing seven rebounds.
• Forward Antwan Walker added nine points on 4-of-6 shooting in 12 minutes.
• With Carey, Martin and Walker combining for 31 points, Rhode Island's bench outscored UMass, 31-13.
• Forward Makhi Mitchell had a career-high eight points, deftly distributing the ball from the paint. He added seven points, four rebounds and two blocked shots.
• Eight different Rams had at least one assist as URI finished the night with 22.
• Rhode Island asserted itself physically, outscoring UMass 46-8 in the paint.

Up Next
The Rams begin a three-game home stand when they welcome La Salle to the Ryan Center Wednesday, Jan. 19. Game time is 7 p.m.