Fatts Russell scored 24 points and Cyril Langevine added 17 as Rhode Island opened a double-digit lead in the first half and held on for a 75-61 nonconference victory Friday over visiting Providence.
Tyrese Martin added 10 points, while Langevine grabbed 16 rebounds as the Rams (6-3) defeated the Friars for just the second time in the last 10 meetings.
Alpha Diallo scored 13 points while David Duke added 12 for Providence (5-5), which lost for the fourth time in its last five games. The Friars were playing their first game since a disappointing visit to California, where they went 1-2 in the Wooden Legacy.
Rhode Island won for the second time in its last three games and earned its fifth victory in its last seven contests. The Rams rebounded from an 86-81 defeat Sunday at West Virginia.
Providence took an early 10-4 lead four minutes into the game before the Rams went to work, tying the score 10-10 two minutes later. Rhode Island took the lead for good at 25-24 on a Russell free throw with 5:37 remaining in the first half.
Rhode Island led by as many as 10 points in the first half and took a 38-29 lead into the break despite shooting just 12 of 34 (35.3 percent) from the field and 2 of 20 (10 percent) from 3-point range. The Rams ended the game shooting 41.3 percent from the field.
Providence was slightly better from the field in the first half at 35.5 percent and shot 38.5 percent in the game. Nate Watson had 10 points for the Friars.
Rhode Island's defense forced Providence into 22 turnovers, while holding a 21-10 advantage on fast-break points. The Rams also had a 28-12 advantage in points off turnovers.
Despite the loss, Providence still holds a 74-56 edge in the all-time series, having won 11 of the last 17 meetings.
--Field Level Media
