AMHERST, Mass. – Anthony Gurley scored 21 points as Massachusetts defeated Rhode Island 64-54 Sunday for its fourth win in five games.
The Minutemen (13-7, 5-2 Atlantic 10 Conference) grabbed 43 rebounds to 32 for the Rams (13-8, 4-3) and converted the extra opportunities into free throws. Although they made only 16 of 27 (59.3 percent), the Minutemen gained an 11-point advantage at the line, where Rhode Island was only 5 of 8.
Terrell Vinson and Sean Carter each had eight rebounds for UMass and Gurley had seven.
Delroy James led Rhode Island with 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Marquis Jones added 10 points.
UMass bolted to a 15-2 lead and trailed once — when Nikola Malesovic's jumper put Rhode Island ahead 32-30 with 14:31 left. The Minutemen answered immediately with a 7-0 run to reclaim the lead for good. Gurley sealed it by making 6 of 8 free throws in the final 1:15.
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