University of Rhode Island Press Release Rhode Island Starters Thomas, Lawrence, Farrell, Green, Brown Fairfield Starters Bergens, Sparks, Bleechmore, Johnson, Smith How it Happened Rhode Island flexed its ability to score in a 96-58 victory over Fairfield in its season opener on Monday night at the Ryan Center. Six different Rams finished with double-digit points, while the team shot 53.8 percent from the floor. Despite URI (1-0) having a significant lead for most of the action, the game was still chippy with 56 total fouls called. The Rams were in the bonus by the game’s second media timeout and used free throw shooting to go up by 10 at 21-11 after David Fuchs knocked a pair down. URI preserved its advantage from the charity stripe, despite going four minutes without a field goal. Fairfield (0-1) had a cold stretch of its own to close out the opening half, finishing the last four minutes without any points from the floor as Rhode Island took a 45-27 edge into the locker room. Coming out of the break, a quick layup by Sebastian Thomas put the Rams up by 20 and though the Stags had a few scoring runs, the visitors were never able to get the deficit back down to the teens. Rhody’s newcomers shined in the second half, as rookie Tyonne Farrell assisted on a Javonte Brown bucket before adding one of his own on a fast break to expand URI’s advantage. Brown later made it a 30-point difference when he slammed down a dunk with just under 15 minutes to go (58-28). From there, Rhody mostly maintained its margin. Thirty of the team’s 51 second-half points came from a combination of the new roster additions. Local product Jaymien Aponte, a true freshman from Cranston, R.I., came off the bench to applause with just under a minute to go. The guard stuffed a Fairfield player trying to get a last-second shot up, sealing the Rams’ win. Inside the Box Score Rhode Island was 34-of-41 at the free throw line. It was the most made free throws by a URI team since the Rams were 37-for-44 from the stripe in a 92-82 win over Centenary on Nov. 19, 2006. Guard Sebastian Thomas scored a team-high 18 points in his return to the Ryan Center. He previously played for the Rams 2021-23 before spending the 2023-24 season at UAlbany. The Providence, R.I. native was 8-for-9 from the free throw line and recorded seven assists. Freshman forward Tyonne Farrell earned the start in his first collegiate game and scored 14 points while adding a team-best seven rebounds. Guard Jaden House finished with 16 points, three boards and one assist. He made the only three that he attempted. Forward David Green and guard Cam Estevez added 10 points apiece. Estevez also chipped in a team-best tow blocks while Green corralled five rebounds. Transfers Jamarques Lawrence (Nebraska) and Javonte Brown (Western Michigan) started in their Rhode Island debuts. Brown had 11 points and added six boards. Transfer guard Quentin Diboundje (East Carolina) played seven minutes in his first game as a Ram, contributing two points. URI shot .500 or better from the floor in just three games last season. Fairfield shot 27.1 percent from the floor. A year ago, the worst any of URI’s opponents shot was Fordham’s 27.0 percent (March 9). Last year, Rhode Island defeated the Stags 93-80 (Nov. 9). The Rams are now 5-0 all-time against the Stags. Rhody is now 2-1 in season openers under head coach Archie Miller. Up Next  Rhode Island will host Holy Cross on Friday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. The action, part of a five-game home stand for the Rams, will be streamed on ESPN+. Categories: College Sports, Sports Tags: University of Rhode Island, URI Rams