Providence, R.I. (AP) — Xavier Munford scored 25 points Thursday, E.C. Matthews added 21 and Rhode Island beat Brown 75-66.
Matthews hit a 3-pointer to put the Rams (8-6) up 21-20 in the first half and they never trailed again. Munford hit a trey at 2:56, sparking an 11-2 run, and ended the half with another trey, giving the Rams a 43-28 halftime lead.
Gilvydas Biruta opened the second half with a layup and Rhode Island kept the Bears (6-6) at arm’s length, outshooting Brown from the field 43.9 percent to 39.6 percent, but getting out-shot from beyond the arc 11 of 24 (45.8 percent) to 6 of 16 (37.5 percent), and out-rebounded 38-35.
Sean McGonagill led Brown with 24 points, Norman Hobbie scored 13 and Tavon Blackmon added 11. Rafael Maia grabbed 11 rebounds.
It was the teams’ 155th nonconference matchup since 1909-10, and Rhode Island leads the series 102-53.
