SOUTH KINGSTOWN – It’s been more than six decades since the University of Rhode Island controlled a Division I men’s basketball opponent like this in the season opener.
The Rams have been waiting since 1960-61 to enjoy a similar blowout while starting the campaign against an opponent on their level. Hartford was the unlucky visitor to Keaney Gymnasium that year, and Holy Cross now sits alongside the Hawks in program record books after this short trip to the Ryan Center.
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Jonah Hinton wasted no time heating up from distance and his teammates were unselfish throughout. URI steamed to a 10-359 triumph over the shorthanded Crusaders, who were missing a pair of injured starters and saw their bench absorb a thumping from the hosts.
Javon Perry (11), URI basketball
Hinton finished with 24 points to lead four players in double figures, and 10 different Rams were at least plus-18 in the final box score on Tuesday, Nov. 3. It’s bound to be more difficult Saturday in a date with Monmouth on a neutral floor at Mohegan Sun Arena, but a performance like this can only build confidence.
“It goes a long way in terms of morale and just getting the nerves and the anxiety out,” URI coach Archie Miller said. “I thought our kids across the board from a team perspective came out and played the right way.”
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Ernie Calverley was in charge of an eventual NCAA Tournament team when URI raced past Hartford, 96-52, on that particular December 1960 night. The Rams are projected to be a long way from making a March Madness return in 2026-27, but anything can seem possible after opening like this. Here are three takeaways from a URI rout in front of an announced 3,240 fans.
URI used balance offensive attack
The Rams have only been this efficient on offense a couple other times since KenPom.com came online for the 1996-97 season.
URI averaged an adjusted 1.43 points per possession while rolling past Holy Cross. They put up 19 assists against just five turnovers, shot 55.2% from the field and connected on a dozen 3-pointers to leave the Crusaders in their wake.
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The Rams focused on retention in the offseason, and their core certainly looked connected in this one. Jalen Harper joined Hinton in double figures with 11 points while Jahmere Tripp and Barrett Loer combined for 17 points.
“It means everything,” Harper said. “I think the confidence just comes naturally coming into my second year.”
URI averaged 1.47 points per possession in a 107-65 home spanking of Marist in 2016-17, a future Atlantic 10 tournament champion under Dan Hurley. The Rams also put up 1.44 points per possession while hammering Fordham, 110-72, in a 1996-97 conference laugher under Al Skinner.
“It gives you a real opportunity to have success long term,” Miller said. “There’s nothing more important than ball security with our team, especially having a lot of inexperience and having a lot of new guys.”
Jonah Hinton (5), URI basketball
Hinton sizzled from the outset
His 3-pointer with 12:03 left in the first half pushed URI out to a 23-10 advantage, and the veteran guard had already tallied more than half his points for the evening. Hinton opened 5-for-6 from the field and 4-for-5 from deep, a start that left him with 14 points in barely eight minutes.
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“I kind of get a feeling for if the shot is on or not,” Hinton said. “Then throughout the game as you get warm you can get more of a feel. You can heat up.”
Deniusas posted 10 of his 13 points and five of his team-high eight rebounds prior to the break, a solid debut for the Tennessee Martin transfer. His commanding double-double in an exhibition win over Southern New Hampshire certainly hinted at signs of more to come. Hinton was more of a known commodity – a preseason all-conference pick and a 20-point scorer five times for the Rams last year after a move from St. Bonaventure.
“When he bangs a couple I think at the end of the day that helps everybody,” Miller said. “No question about it – seeing the ball go in does wonders.”
Jaen Chatman (2), URI vs. Holy Cross, Nov. 3, 2026.
Rhody bench fills the void
URI was without Mouhamed Sow (knee) in this one, but Jaen Chatman was able to make his college debut off the bench after missing a cruise past the Penmen due to a right index finger injury.
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The freshman guard from New Jersey power Blair Academy operated as the backup point man behind Dylan Williamson and closed with six points, three assists, a steal and a lone turnover in 17 minutes. Chatman entered to polite applause with 12:49 left in the opening half and departed in the midst of a 19-0 run that broke this one open for good.
“The things he has to think about on a daily basis are simple – I take care of the ball and I’m solid as hell on defense,” Miller said. “I think as he earns that trust you’ll continue to see him evolve as the year goes on.”
Javon Perry’s slam off a bounce pass from Loer and Harper steal for a breakaway dunk with 5:47 to play gave the Rams (1-0) a 42-13 cushion. There was no way back for the Crusaders (0-1), who played without Declan Ryan (knee), Joe Nugent (Achilles) and Kosi Mgbejiofor. Kole Hanson led the visitors with 11 points.
HOLY CROSS (59): Chuck Hare 3-5 4-6 10, Aidan Richard 0-4 0-0 0, Jude Haigh 2-6 0-0 6, Kole Hanson 4-9 0-1 11, Tristen Wilson 3-4 3-4 9, Bradyn Foster 1-4 0-0 2, Arius Alijosius 1-4 0-0 2, John St. Germain 2-6 1-1 5, Jaelon Germany 2-7 1-2 5, Elijah Flowers 3-6 1-2 8, Ethan Clark 0-0 0-0 0, Liam Rigney 0-0 0-0 0, Austin Mejia 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 21-55 10-16 59.
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RHODE ISLAND (103): Matas Deniusas 3-5 6-7 13, Jahmere Tripp 3-7 2-4 9, Jason Fontenet II 4-7 3-3 11, Dylan Williamson 4-10 0-0 8, Jonah Hinton 8-11 2-2 24, Nedas Raupelis 4-4 1-1 9, Jaen Chatman 2-5 1-2 6, Barrett Loer 3-7 0-0 8, Jalen Harper 4-8 2-2 11, Javon Perry 1-1 0-0 2, Tim Martin Jr. 1-2 0-2 2, Steven Sherman 0-0 0-0 0, Jaymien Aponte 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 37-67 17-23 103.
Halftime – RI, 58-27. 3-point FG – HC 7-23 (Richard 0-1, Haigh 2-5, Hanson 3-6, Wilson 0-1, Alijosius 1-3, St. Germain 0-2, Germany 0-2, Flowers 1-3), RI 12-31 (Deniusas 1-2, Tripp 1-4, Fontenet 0-2, Williamson 0-3, Hinton 6-9, Chatman 1-2, Loer 2-5, Harper 1-4). Rebounds – HC 29 (Hare 8), RI 41 (Deniusas 8). Assists – HC 14 (Hanson 5, Germany 4), RI 19 (Fontenet 6, Williamson 4). Turnovers – 16 (Germany 3), RI 5 (Deniusas 1, Williamson 1, Hinton 1, Chatman 1, Harper 1). Steals – HC 1 (Richard 1), RI 8 (Tripp 2, Hinton 2). Attendance – 3,240.
On X: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: URI basketball just did something it hadn’t pulled off in 65 years
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
