Rhode Island Starters
Cochran, Corey, Hinton, Itejere, Tripp

George Mason Starters
Allenspach, Long, Mincy, Presley, Troutman

How it Happened
A strong second-half surge helped lift Rhode Island over George Mason 74-65 on Saturday afternoon at the Ryan Center, handing the Patriots their second loss of the season and first since Dec. 6, 2025. 

The Rams' (12-8, 3-4 Atlantic 10) second-half defense and timely free throw shooting helped ice the victory. The Patriots (18-2, 6-1 Atlantic 10) made 10 field goals in the second half, including just one make from behind the arc. Rhode Island made 18 second-half free throws, including 12 makes from the line in the final 5:03 of the game. 

The first half was a game of runs. Late in the first half, Keeyan Itejere gave Rhode Island a five-point lead after a made layup with just over a minute remaining before the half. The Patriots' Kory Mincy then drilled 3-pointers on consecutive possessions, including one with three seconds left in the half to lift the Patriots to a 33-32 lead heading into halftime. 

Rhody outscored the Patriots by 10 points in the second half. Rhode Island opened the second half on a 14-4 run while hitting six of its first eight shots. Three of those baskets came off the hand of Jahmere Tripp. Tripp finished the game with a career high 23 points. 

Inside the Box Score

• Rhode Island took care of the basketball having turned the ball over a season-low four times.
• The Rams finished the game with six blocks, including four by Keeyan Itejere.
• Rhode Island won the fast break points battle 16-3.
• The Rams scored 11 points off turnovers compared to two for the Patriots. 
• Along with his career-high 23 points, Jahmere Tripp added seven rebounds and one steal.
• Tyler Cochran finished with 20 points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
• Jonah Hinton tacked on 13 points, with two assists, one rebound, and one block.
• Keeyan Itejere led the Rams on the defensive end with four blocks, adding eight points and six rebounds.
• Myles Corey totaled six points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block.
• RJ Johnson added four points and a rebound off the bench, hitting all four of the free throws he attempted. 

Up Next
Rhode Island heads on the road to Dayton on Tuesday, Jan. 27. Game time is 7 p.m. on ESPN+.