University of Rhode Island

Rhode Island Starters
Deniusas, Fontenet, Hinton, Tripp, Williamson

Maine Starters
Flagg, Garcia Adsten, Gribben, Lopes, Williams

How it Happened
Behind a late push led by Dylan Williamson, Rhode Island escaped the Ryan Center with a 71-65 win over Maine on Tuesday night. 

Clinging to a 59-58 lead with less than five minutes left in regulation, Williamson erupted for a personal 9-0 run courtesy of three-straight makes from beyond the arc to give Rhode Island (3-0) a 67-58 lead. Outside of a pair of free throws from Matas Deniusas and a solo make from the stripe from Jason Fontenet II, Williamson scored 12 of Rhode Island's final 15 points. 

Maine (1-3) led for more than 20 minutes of the game and carried a five-point lead after the first half. In the second half, the Black Bears had the lead until a Deniusas dunk with just over 14 minutes left in the second half that tied that game at 40. On the Rams next possession, a Javon Perry free throw gave Rhode Island its first lead since it was up 2-1 early in the first half.

The Black Bears hung around down the stretch and managed to tie the game at 56 inside the final six minutes of the game. Williamson then buried a three-pointer that sparked his end of game dominance leading to the Rhode Island victory. 

Inside the Box Score

• Rhody's starting five all finished the night in double figures scoring.
• It was the second straight game the Rams had five or more players score 10 plus points.
• Dylan Williamson had a game-high 18 points with 5-of-8 shooting from behind the arc. 
• Jason Fontenet II finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds. It was his first double-double of the season. 
• Both players had three steals on defense.
• Matas Deniusas contributed 12 points, five rebounds, and two steals.
• Jonah Hinton added 10 points, two steals, and two rebounds.
• Jahmere Tripp contributed 10 points, six rebounds, three assists, and one steal.
• Javon Perry gave the team a boost with three points and five rebounds in 14 minutes off the bench.
• Four of his five rebbounds came on the offensive end.
• Rhody shot 22-for-28 at the free-throw line for 79 percent; its best showing this season. 
• Rhody forced 18 turnovers and enjoyed a 22-11 advantage in points off of turnovers. 
• After scoring just 23 points in the first, Rhody more than doubled that with 48 points in the second. 

Up Next
The Rams have a quick turnaround as they host Maryland Eastern Shore on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. at the Ryan Center. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.