Dec. 2, 2000

Box Score

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Erron Maxey had 19 points and a game-high eight rebounds and John Linehan added 17 points to lead Providence past Rhode Island 95-72 Saturday night.

Providence (4-3) took a 61-49 lead in the all-time series between the intrastate rivals with the largest victory margin in the series since 1967, when the Friars won 99-73.

Tavorris Bell had a game-high 27 points for Rhode Island (1-5), but 25 came in the second half. Zach Marbury added 17.

Linehan scored eight points in the first 7:15 of the game as the Friars jumped out to a 23-7 lead. Marbury scored six points during a Rhode Island run that trimmed the Friars lead to 28-22.

Providence led 42-31 at halftime then opened the second half with a 14-4 run that put the Rams away.

Marcus Douthit hit two free throws with 2:33 left to give the Friars their largest lead, 89-63. Douthit had 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting.

Rhode Island had difficulty scoring inside as 7-foot Providence center Karim Shabazz equaled his career high with 10 blocks. The Friars also forced 23 turnovers.