First Half Surge Powers URI Past Iona In First Round Of NIT

Ken Bell

       KINGSTON, R.I. (AP) – E.C. Matthews and Jared Terrell each scored 18 points and Rhode Island beat Iona 88-75 on Tuesday in the first round of the NIT.

        Biggie Minnis had 13 points for the Rams (23-9) while T.J. Buchanan and Jarvis Garrett each scored 10. Garrett had 10 assists, and Hassan Martin and Earl Watson grabbed 11 rebounds apiece.

        A.J. English led Iona (26-9) with 28 points and David Laury added 26. The Gaels automatically qualified for the NIT after winning the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference regular-season title.

        URI led by as many as 17 points in the first half and held a 51-39 advantage at the break.        

        The Rams will face the winner of UC Davis-Stanford.

        The game was played under two experimental rules; a 30-second shot clock to create more offense and an expanded restricted area for the purpose of curbing collisions near the rim.
 
        AP-WF-03-18-15 0133GMT

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