KINGSTON, R.I. (AP) E.C. Matthews scored 24 points and Hassan Martin added 10 rebounds and a career-high seven blocks as Rhode Island held off a late second-half comeback to beat Fordham 68-65 on Wednesday night.
Rhode Island (10-3, 2-0 Atlantic 10) stayed ahead in the final seconds after Jarvis Garrett split a pair of free throws for a three-point lead. Fordham (5-8, 0-2) air-balled a 3-point attempt on the ensuing possession with 24.1 seconds remaining.
Fordham tied up the game at 64-all with two minutes left after trailing by 10 points midway through the second half. Both teams had shot above 50 percent from the floor in the first half, entering the break with Rhode Island up 35-31 after trailing early by eight points.
Martin accounted for seven of the teams eight blocks, moving him into sixth place for Rhode Island's all-time career blocks.
Eric Paschall scored 19 points to lead Fordham.
