Russell has career-best 21, leads Rhode Island to 97-63 win
KINGSTON, R.I. (AP) — Fatts Russell had a career-high 21 points and Jeff Dowtin added 17 with nine assists as Rhode Island blew out Bryant 97-63 in the season opener on Tuesday night.
This was the debut for both coaches with David Cox getting the win over Jared Grasso in the first meeting since Bryant moved up to Division I. The schools met three times in the 1980s when Bryant was still in Division II.
Christion Thompson added 14 points with seven rebounds and Ryan Preston chipped in nine points. Jermaine Harris pulled down 10 rebounds for the Rams who opened the game on an 11-0 run.
Rhode Island jumped out to an early lead and took a 49-32 lead into halftime. They continued the drive until they were up by 73-43 with 10:24 remaining in the game and coasted to the win.
Byron Hawkins had 16 points to lead Bryant. Joe Kasperzyk had 10 points and Patrick Harding added while grabbing 10 rebounds.
