Men's College Basketball

University of Rhode Island 82, Rider University 57

KINGSTON, RI— Seeking a big win in the smallest state, the Rider Broncs lost at the University of Rhode Island Sunday afternoon, bringing an end to the Cancun Challenge.

“We're just not very good right now,” said Rider head coach Kevin Baggett.  “We are not playing with any confidence.”

After Sunday's game, URI guard Four McGlynn might think about changing his first name to Three. The 6'2” grad student made six three-pointers, finishing with 27 points, to lead Rhode Island.

Holding a 44-35 lead, URI (4-2) out-scored Rider 15-4 to take a 59-39 lead with 11:30 left to play.

Rider (1-5) led 14-13 mid-way through the first half before URI went on a 14-2 run, making four three-pointers, to take a 27-16 lead, and the Rams led 41-28 at the half.

URI made 13 three-pointers in the game.

For Rider, junior forward Xavier Lundy (Paulsboro, NJ/Paulsboro) had 12 points while junior Kahlil Thomas (Parkway, Fla./Blanche Ely) added 10 points and seven rebounds.

Rider's three starting guards combined for seven points. “If our guards are not going to carry this team we are going to struggle.” Baggett said.

Rider freshman Kealen Ives (Providence, RI/Classical) made his hometown return and compiled seven points and an assist in 17 minutes off the bench.

URI out-rebounded Rider 43-34.

This was the first-ever meeting between Rider and URI.

This was Rider's first of two trips this season to the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, the smallest state in the union with the longest name. Rider returns to Rhody December 19 to play Providence College.

The Broncs begin conference play with a pair of Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference games in December, beginning with a home game December 2 against Saint Peter's University. It is just Rider's second home game of the season and the first since November 13.  “It will be nice to be home again but we have to find a way to get this thing corrected,” Baggett said. 

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