Rhode Island Starters
Samb, Freeman, Carey, Leggett, Martin
 
Massachusetts Starters
Martin, Diggins, Kante, Weeks, Jr., Cross
 
How it Happened
Massachusetts wore down Rhode Island in the second half, handing the Rams a 75-65 loss Saturday evening.

The Rams (6-11, 2-3 Atlantic 10) and Minutemen were separated by just one point at halftime, and URI scored the first basket of the second half on a layup from Ishmael Leggett.

However,  UMass (11-6, 3-2 A-10) established a secure early in the second half with a 12-0 run that turned a one-point game into a 39-28 lead. Rahsool Diggins scored seven points during the run, capping it with a 3-point shot at the 17:13 mark.

Rhode Island did not go away, chipping into the lead several times. Rhody got as close as four points at 52-48, thanks to a 10-3 run that featured a couple baskets from Jalen Carey and a 3-pointer by Leggett. An Alex Tchikou free throw made it a four-point game with 8:35 to go. Sebastian Thomas later hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key to make the score 58-54 with 6:34 to go, but the Rams could not get any closer.

Massachusetts was 19-of-24 at the free throw line in the second half while also shooting 13-of-27 from the floor. In the end, URI could not keep up with the physical play of the Minutemen.

Inside the Box Score

• Sophomore Ishmael Leggett led Rhode Island with 19 points along with three rebounds and two assists.
• Redshirt junior Jalen Carey had 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
• He scored 10 points in the second half.
• Sophomore Brayon Freeman was the third Ram in double figures, scoring 11 to go with three assists.
• Redshirt sophomore Alex Tchikou matched his career high with eight points while adding six rebounds and a blocked shot.
• Sophomore Sebastian Thomas added seven points and two assists.
• Massachusetts scored 23 points off of 16 URI turnovers.
• Though Rhode Island had 16 turnovers for the game, it had just one over the final 12 minutes.
• UMass had a 48-36 edge on the boards, including 16 offensive rebounds.

What's Next
Rhode Island is back on the road when it travels to Richmond Tuesday, Jan. 17. The team tips off at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.