Rhode Island Starters
Thomas, Carey, Leggett, Martin, Tchikou

Massachusetts Starters
Leveque, Kante, Luis, Thompson, Weeks, Jr.

How it Happened
Rhode Island experienced significant struggles on the offensive end as it lost to Massachusetts 69-45 Saturday afternoon.

The Rams (8-18, 4-10 Atlantic 10) started off with a decent flow on offense. URI led 19-17 midway through the first half following a second-chance 3-point shot from Rory Stewart. At that point, URI was 7-for-14 from the field.

However, over the final 29:30 of the game, Rhode Island was a combined 9-for-51. The Rams closed the first half on a 1-for-16 cold spell, then shot 8-for-35 in the second half.

With Rhode Island struggling to score, Massachusetts (14-13, 5-10 A-10) steadily pulled away. The Minutemen ended the first half on a 17-7 run to take an eight-point lead into the break. A balanced attack led by Keon Thompson (15 points), RJ Luis (14) and Tafara Gapare (11) built the lead to as many as 27 as UMass recorded its largest road win over an A-10 opponent since Feb. 1, 1996, when it won at Temple, 59-35.

Inside the Box Score

• Several Rhode Island legends were on hand for the game. At halftime, Carlton "Silk" Owens, Tom Garrick and Kenny Green became the first three members of the Rhode Island Athletics Ring of Honor.
• Also honored were members of both the 1987-88 Sweet 16 team and 1997-98 Elite Eight team, both of which were inducted into the URI Athletics Hall of Fame Friday night.
• Representing the 1987-88 squad were Jim Christian, Bonzie Colson, Tom Garrick, Andre Green, Kenny Green, Silk Owens, coach Al Skinner, athletic trainer John Karney, Jr. and student manager Leigh Klein.
• On hand from the 1997-98 team were Joshua King, Preston Murphy, Sr., head coach Jim Harrick, assistant coach Jerry DeGregorio, athletic trainer Carlo Cantarella and student managers Brandi Daniel Lumpris and Sarah Tuzinski-Searles.
• After shooting 8-of-9 from the free throw line in the first half, Rhode Island was 1-for-7 in the second half.
• The Rams were 4-for-25 from 3-point range and 12-for-40 inside the perimeter.
• Sophomore Ishmael Leggett led Rhode Island with 18 points to go with eight rebounds and two assists.
• He also matched his career high with four steals and was 5-for-5 at the stripe.
• Redshirt junior Jalen Carey had eight points and two rebounds, while freshman Rory Stewart contributed eight points and a career-high five rebounds off the bench.
• UMass had a 46-37 edge on the boards.

What's Next
Rhode Island welcomes George Washington to town Wednesday, Feb. 22. Game time is 7 p.m. on ESPN+.