Perry Ellis scores 17 points, No. 11 Kansas beats Rhode Island 76-60

Kansas Jayhawks guard Devonte' Graham (4) drives past Rhode Island Rams guard Jarvis Garrett (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay) (The Associated Press)

Kansas forward Hunter Mickelson (42) shoots over Rhode Island center Earl Watson (33) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay) (The Associated Press)

Perry Ellis scored 17 points and No. 11 Kansas beat Rhode Island 76-60 on Thursday in the opening round of the Orlando Classic.

Ellis had 11 points in the opening 20 minutes to help Kansas cruise to a 43-25 halftime lead. The Jayhawks went ahead 31-11 with just over 6 minutes before intermission on Ellis' rebound slam.

Frank Mason III added 12 points for Kansas (3-1), which has a pair of victories since a 72-40 loss to No. 1 Kentucky on Nov. 18.

E.C. Matthews scored 20 points for Rhode Island (3-1), which was coming off a 66-62 overtime victory over then-No. 21 Nebraska on Saturday. Gilvydas Biruta had 16 points and seven rebounds.

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/perry-ellis-scores-17-points-no-11-kansas-beats-rhode-island-76-60