THE BASICS
Rhode Island (8-4) vs. Northeastern (4-6)
Tip-Off: Tuesday, Dec. 22, 7:00 p.m.
Coverage: Watch: ESPN+ | Listen: Varsity Network | Live Stats | Game Notes

RHODE ISLAND VS. NORTHEASTERN - SERIES NOTES

• Rhode Island and Northeastern will be meeting for the 81st time overall and the second time in three years.  
• URI has won 15 straight games in the series.
• The Rams are 43-1 when hosting the Huskies.
• Rhody's lone home loss in the series was a 94-92 defeat on Dec. 2, 1989. 
• The game is the final non-conference of the regular season for Rhode Island.
• Northeastern is coached Bill Coen is in his 20th season and is the program's all-time leader with 303 wins.
• Coen spent eight seasons at Rhode Island from 1989-97 as a member of Al Skinner's staff. He was an assistant coach for six seasons and a graduate assistant for two years.

DEFENSE PUTTING THE CLAMPS ON THE OPPOSITION

• Rhode Island is third in the Atlantic 10 and 42nd nationally in scoring defense, allowing 66.5 points per game.
• This is 5.1 points less per game than Rhode Island's opponents averaged (71.6 points per game) in non-conference play last season.
• The Rams have limited three of its last four opponents to 66 points or less. 
• URI has held eight of its 12 opponents to 66 points or less.
• It was the eighth time in 11 games the Rams have scored 15 or more points with free throws.

ITEJERE EFFICIENT AROUND THE BASKET

• Forward Keeyan Itejere has been very efficient from the field thus far, shooting .745 from the floor.
• Saint Louis' Kellen Thames in second in the league with a .692 field goal percentage.
• Through 12 games, Itejere is 35-for-47 on field goals.
• A career .590 free throw shooter, Itejere is 23-for-33 this season, good for a .697 percentage.
• The Northern Kentucky transfer has been a pogo stick in the middle on offense, with 20 of his 35 field goals so far coming via the dunk.
• He is averaging 7.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.
• He had his first double-double of the season against McNeese, finishing with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
• Last time out against Canisius Itejere had a season-high 11 rebounds.
• Of his 17 blocks, 13 have come in the last five games.
• Itejere has scored in double figures six times.