David Green’s Debut Sparks URI to Victory in Non-Conference Finale

Balanced scoring, the strongest defensive effort of the season and a late surge led by Luis Kortright helped Rhode Island pull away late for an 82-71 win over Northeastern Saturday.

The Rams (6-7) forced 16 turnovers by Northeastern – the most by an opponent this year – and also blocked five shots to help build a 13-point lead in the second half. The visiting Huskies (5-8) cut the advantage to three points at 64-61 with seven minutes to go, but Kortright hit a 3-pointer and followed that with a layup to spark an 18-6 run. By the time Cam Estevez sank a free throw with 1:14 remaining, the Rams were up by 15, the biggest lead of the night.

The victory snapped a five-game losing streak for the Rams, who begin Atlantic 10 play next week.

Inside the Box Score
This was the first time all season Rhode Island had all players available for a game.
Five players scored in double figures for the Rams.
Junior guard Jaden House scored a game-high 19 points to go with four rebounds and three assists.
Junior guard Luis Kortright had 14 points, 10 of which came in the second half. He was 5-of-8 from the field and had three blocked shots and a steal defensively.
Freshman guard Cam Estevez made his first career start and responded with 15 points and five rebounds.
Junior guard David Green made his Rhode Island debut and had 15 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals in 21 minutes off the bench.
Freshman forward David Fuchs posted a double-double in his return after missing the last three games with a concussion. He finished with 10 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and one steal.
Five of his rebounds came on the offensive glass, a big reason the Rams scored 19 second-chance points.
Junior guard Zek Montgomery just missed giving the Rams a sixth double-digit scorer. He had eight points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals.
Eight different URI players recorded at least one assist.
Rhode Island had a 35-24 edge on the boards and a 19-8 advantage in second-chance points.
Northeastern head coach Bill Coen spent eight seasons on the Rhode Island staff during the 1990s as an assistant for Al Skinner.
What’s Next
Rhode Island begins conference play when it hosts Saint Joseph’s Wednesday, Jan. 3. Game time is 7 p.m. on ESPN+.