KINGSTON, R.I. – The Yale men's basketball team played a strong first half Sunday against Rhode Island. The Rams, though, answered with a terrific second half and edged the Bulldogs 76-72 before an enthusiastic crowd of 4,001 at the Thomas Ryan Center.
 
The loss dropped Yale to 4-3 on the season, while the Rams improved to 5-2.
 
Trailing 44-32 at halftime, URI opened the second half with a 15-5 run to get back in the game. The score was tied at 70 with 3:27 left before Jaden House's driving layup following an offensive rebound gave the Rams the lead. On its next possession, Zek Montgomery's bucket put Rhode Island in front 74-70. Bez Mbeng pulled Yale back within two with a minute left, and the Bulldogs' defense forced a URI miss, but House grabbed an offensive rebound and was fouled. His two free throws with 25 seconds remaining sealed the victory.
 
BIG YALE FIRST HALF
 
The Bulldogs shot 58.1 percent (18-of-31) from the field in the first half and led by as many as 18 points before Rhode Island pulled within 14 by the intermission.
 
KEY STAT
 
The Rams grabbed 15 offensive rebounds, which they turned into 23 points. Yale had seven offensive rebounds which resulted in three points. URI outrebounded the Bulldogs 40-26 in the game.
 
LEADING SCORERS
 
Danny Wolf, who was named the most outstanding player of last weekend's Atlantic Slam Tournament, had another strong game, scoring 19 points to pace Yale. He was 8-of-13 from the field and 3-of-3 from three-point range. Mbeng added 18 points and John Poulakidas scored 16.
 
Luis Kortright scored 12 of his 15 points in the second half to lead URI. Montgomery added 14 and Tyson Brown scored 10.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
 
After playing its last six games away from home, Yale is back in the friendly confines of the John J. Lee Amphitheater on Wednesday. The Bulldogs host Stony Brook in a 7 p.m. tipoff.