Kingston, R.I. (Dec. 13, 2014) ---Rhode Island pressured Delaware State into season lows in scoring and shooting percentage in an 83-44 win over the Hornets at the Ryan Center this afternoon.
The Rams won for the second time in three games to improve to 6-3 this season, while the Hornets dropped their second straight to fall to 4-6.
Delaware State was 16-for-63 from the floor (25.4%), including four-of-19 from three-point territory (2.1%) in the contest. Since nailing eight threes at Wake Forest on Nov. 28, the Hornets have hit just 12-of-73 from beyond the arc in the last four games (16.4%).
Rhode Island was 31-for-53 field (58.5%) for the game. The Rams won the rebound battle 44-38 and forced the Hornets into 17 turnovers, resulting in 18 points.
URI outscored the Hornets 28-4 on fast break points.
The Rams started to take control after Delaware State pulled ahead 10-9 on a three-pointer by Amere May with 14:57 left in the first half. Rhode Island scored 20 of the next 24 points, and opened up a 29-14 lead on a free throw by Hassan Martin with 4:16 to go before halftime.
The Hornets hit just two of their 14 shots and committed seven turnovers during the Rhode Island spurt.
Delaware State had one field goal in the last seven minutes of the half, and trailed 31-18 at the break.
Rhode Island outscored the Hornets 12-4 to start the second half, and opened up a 43-22 lead on a dunk by Martin with 15:31 left to play.
The Rams blew the game open with a 20-3 run during a six-minutes stretch of the second half. Jared Terrell capped off the run with a lay up to give URI a 69-32 lead. The Hornets trailed by as many as 41 in the half.
E.C. Matthews led five Rhode Island players in double figures with 14 points. Gilvydas Biruta (6-9 FGs) had 13 points and Terrell 11 for the Rams.
Kendal Williams was the only Delaware State player in double figures with a season-high 10 points. He had two of the Hornets' four three-point field goals.
Kendall Gray led DSU with a game-high nine rebounds, while Amere May had seven points and a team-high four assists.
The Hornets will return to action on Wednesday (Dec. 17) at St. Francis Brooklyn (N.Y.). Game time is 4 p.m. DSU will also visit Oregon (Dec. 20) and Temple (Dec. 28) before returning home to face Cheyney on Jan. 5, 2015 (7 p.m.).
STINGERS
Freshman Todd Hughes started his first game for Delaware State, tallying two points, three rebounds and a team-high three blocks.
Tyshawn Bell hit a three-pointer in the second half to move into a tie with Emanual Davis (1989-91) for sixth on the Hornets' all-time list with 153.
Mrdjan Gasevic came off the bench to grab a career-high seven rebounds for the Hornets.
