strgfs
SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (AP) -- Maurice Maxwell scored 14 points, leading Massachusetts to a 49-44 win over Rhode Island on Wednesday night.
Rashaun Freeman added 10 for Massachusetts (12-8, 6-4 Atlantic 10), including eight points in the final 10 minutes. Will Daniels led Rhode Island (4-16, 2-7) with 15 points, 12 in the second half, and nine rebounds.
The loss was the fifth straight for Rhode Island, which scored less than 50 points for the third time in the last five games.
Freeman scored five points in a 9-2 Massachusetts run in the second half. His lay-up with 8:07 to play gave Massachusetts a 40-28 lead.
The first half was an offensive struggle for both teams, as Rhode Island made 7 of 30 shots in the first while Massachusetts made 8 of 27.
Rhode Island took a 14-13 lead with 7:37 left in the half on a Jon Clark basket, but failed to score the rest of the half as UMass took a 20-14 halftime lead.
