Aaman, Defense Spark Rams to Win Over Vermont

Rhode Island (2-6) defeated Vermont 76-66 Saturday for its first victory at the Ryan Center under first-year coach Dan Hurley.

Rhode Island's defense helped the Rams take control of the game in the
final 4:31 of the first half. Vermont (4-2) scored just one point during
the stretch, a free throw by Brian Voelkel just nine seconds before the
half ended.

The Rams maintained a double-digit lead until a late Catamount run in
garbage time. Rhode Island led by as many as 22 points before Vermont
closed within seven at 68-61 with 58 seconds remaining. Rhode Island
pushed the lead back to double digits in the final seconds.

Inside the Box Score and Beyond:
* Freshman forward Mike Aaman
scored a career-high 15 points. He had nine points in the final four
minutes of the first half to help turn a two-point lead into a 14-point
halftime advantage. Aaman was a perfect 5-for-5 from the free throw line
during the run. He entered the game with 14 total points for the
season.

In addition to the scoring, Aaman added eight rebounds and two blocked shots. Five of his rebounds came on the offensive end.

* The first half marked the fifth time in the last eight halves of play
that the Rams have held their opponent to 25 points or less.
* Xavier Munford
led the team with 25 points, scoring in double digits for the fourth
consecutive game, and the sixth time this season. Munford hit three
3-pointers, marking the third straight game he has made at least three
from behind the arc. He has made 14 over his last three games, and has
at least one 3-point basket in every game this season.

Joining him in double digits were Aaman (15 points) and Andre Malone (14 points). Malone has scored in double figured five times in the last six games.

* Munford, Malone, Mike Powell, and Nikola Malesevic
each hit at least one 3-point shot, as the Rams were 7-of-16 (43.8
percent) from beyond the arc. Rhode Island has made at least four
3-pointers in seven of its eight games thus far.

* Rhode Island continues to take care of the basketball. The Rams did
not commit a turnover until the 10:35 mark of the first half, and
finished the half with just four miscues. Rhody finished with 12
turnovers, slightly more than the team's average of 10.4 per game this
season, which tied it for 16
^th nationally.

* Rhode Island was 12-of-14 from the free throw line in the opening
half, and finished the game 23-of-35. The 65.7 percent shooting at the
line was an improvement for the Rams, who entered the game making just
60.2 percent of their free throws.

* Rhode Island walk-ons Eric Youncofski and Shane Plunkett got into the game in the final minute.