UNCASVILLE, CT. – The University of Rhode Island hit 11 three-pointers en route to an 84-66 win over the Monmouth University men's basketball in the opening game of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Tournament at the Mohegan Sun Arena on Saturday.
Rhode Island hit 11 three-pointers to Monmouth's fourth in the contest, including five after the Hawks cut the lead to nine in the second half.
Stefanos Spartalis led the Hawks with 13 points and 13 rebounds for his first double-double of the year.
Rhode Island opened up a 10-4 lead to start the contest. Monmouth responded with a 10-6 run and pulled to within two, 16-14 with 13:17 showing on the clock.
Lo Walker and
Ashton Walker each scored four points in that stretch.
A
Stephen Osei lay-up at 11:01 made it an 18-16 game in favor of the Rams.
Rhode Island responded by scoring ten of the game's next 11 points and pushed its lead to 28-17 with six minutes to go in the period.
The two teams continued to battle over the next several minutes with Rhode Island taking a 36-22 lead at the half.
Gallery: (11-7-2026) Monmouth Men's Basketball vs. URI
Monmouth opened the second half on a 6-2 run and cut the Rhode Island lead to 10, 38-28 with 17:46 to play.
Jakai Sanders had a traditional three-point play for the Hawks in that stretch.
Rhode Island answered with an 11-4 run and pushed its lead to 49-32 with 14:22 to play.
A pair of free throws at 11:27 extended the Rams' lead to 59-40.
A 10-0 run spurred by the play of
Madison Durr pulled the Hawks to within nine, 59-50 with nine minutes to play. Durr scored eight of the ten points in that scoring stretch.
Rhode Island answered with a 8-2 run and pushed its lead to 67-52 with 6:42 to play.
The Hawks and Rams continued to battle over the final six minutes as Rhode Island closed out an 84-66 win.
Monmouth shot 43.1% from the field while Rhode Island shot 47.7%. The Hawks made a season-best 12 shots from the foul line while Rhode Island won the rebounding battle, 39-31.
Spartalis' double-double was his first of the season and third of his career. His 13 rebounds were a career-high and the most by a Hawk since
Jason Rivera-Torres had 13 last year against Towson. Durr scored in double figures for the second straight game as he contributed 11 points.
Torrey Brooks Jr. made his season debut for the Hawks and contributed four points and a team-best two steals.
Jason Fontenent II led Rhode Island with 15 points and nine rebounds.
The Hawks are back in action on Thursday, Nov. 12 when they travel to Quinnipiac for a 7 p.m. game.
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