Mason downs Rhody in mid-season rematch

Photo Courtesy of URI Athletics

For the second time in 2025, the Rhode Island Rams have fallen in back-to-back matchups, with both of them coming on the road. 

George Mason took down the Rams 82-67 in the teams’ second matchup of 2025. On January 4, Rhode Island defeated GMU 62-59 in the Patriots' only Atlantic 10 conference loss of the season. 

This time around it was all Mason from the jump, as the hosts sprang out to a 10-2 lead in the first 3:16. The Patriots eventually made it a 40-24 advantage before URI struck back with a 16-6 run to get within six at the break, 46-40. 

The Rams couldn’t keep up in the second half, as Mason outscored Rhody 36-27 in the second half on over 55 percent shooting. GMU shot 58.2 percent on the day, making 33 of the team’s 55 attempts. The Patriots also shot 52.4 percent from behind the arc while holding the Rams to just three makes of their own on 13 attempts. 

Rhode Island’s biggest performers struggled to get going with senior guard Sebastian Thomas, who averages 18.6 points per contest, held to just 10 points. Seniors David Green and Jaden House were both held to eight points a piece even though they shot a combined 8-15. Rhody also struggled from the free throw line, making just 60.9 percent of its attempts but held GMU to just seven makes. 

GMU’s senior guard Darius Maddox scored 24 points on 8-12 shooting from the field while knocking down four of his six three point attempts. He added 10 more points to his total from the first matchup, where the guard scored 14 points on 5-12 shooting. 24 is a season-high for Maddox and the first time he had notched 20+ since January 15. 

This is the sixth time in the last seven games that URI have allowed 80+ points, with the other matchup a 70-64 loss at La Salle. Rhody now has four days before its next matchup, back at home against St. Bonaventure. That game tips off at 7 p.m. with a broadcast available on ESPN+ and radio options on WRIU 90.3FM or The Varsity Network.