THE BASICS
Rhode Island (7-4) vs. Canisius (5-6)
Tip-Off: Tuesday, Dec. 16, 7:00 p.m.
Coverage: Watch: ESPN+ | Listen: Varsity Network | Live Stats | Game Notes

RHODE ISLAND VS. CANISIUS - SERIES NOTES

• Rhode Island and Canisius will be meeting for the first time in more than 42 years, dating back to a 62-61 overtime win for Canisius on Nov. 25, 1983. 
• It is just the fifth meeting all time between the schools.
• Each side has won twice in the series.
• The last time Canisius visited Kingston was for the Eastern Conference Athletic Conference Tournament on Feb. 26, 1980. Rhode Island won that game 83-67. 
• Rhode Island has lost two in a row while Canisius won 70-43 at Maine on Saturday, snapping a three-game losing streak of its own.
• Canisius has already played multiple conference games, going 0-2 in MAAC play with losses at Saint Peter's (69-57 on Dec. 5) and Siena (74-52 on Dec. 7).
• Rhode Island does not begin Atlantic 10 play until Dec. 31, when Loyola Chicago visits the Ryan Center. 
• Canisius head coach Jim Christian played for Rhode Island from 1986-88 after starting his career at Boston University (1983-85).
• He was part of the 1988 Rhode Island team that reached the Sweet 16.
• In his second season with Canisius, Christian also has been the head coach at Kent State (2002-08), Texas Christian (2008-12), Ohio (2012-14) and Boston College (2014-21).
• He has a career record of 328-320.

RAMS DELIVERING AT THE FREE THROW LINE

• Despite a loss last time out against McNeese, Rhode Island was once again strong at the free throw line, making 23-of-27 from the stripe.
• It was the eighth time in 11 games the Rams have scored 15 or more points with free throws.
• Against McNeese, forward Keeyan Itejere was a perfect 7-for-7, setting career highs in both free throw makes and attempts.
• Guard Myles Corey was 5-for-5 in the same game.
• Since an uncharacteristic 0-for-4 from the line against Temple on Nov. 26, Corey has made his last eight free throw attempts.  
• Rhode Island has outscored the opposition 188-163 from the free throw line this season.
• URI averages 17.1 free throw makes per game and is fifth in the Atlantic 10 in free throw percentage (.743).  
• Jonah Hinton (10th, .837), Jahmere Tripp (14th, .814) and Corey (18th, .778) all rank in the top 20 in the A-10 in free throw percentage.

TURNOVERS A PROBLEM OF LATE 

• Over its last three games, Rhode Island has turned the ball over 51 times, an average of 17.0 per game.
• Last time out, the Rams had a season-high 21 turnovers in a loss to McNeese.
• In the first eight games of the season, Rhody had 93 turnovers, or 11.6 per game.
• This has led to URI being outscored 58-40 in points off turnovers during the stretch.
• Rhode Island is 248th in the country with 13.1 turnovers per game.