Rhode Island Beats Monmouth 84-66 to Stay Unbeaten
Rhode Island improved to 2-0 with an 84-66 win over Monmouth on Saturday, Nov. 7.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Basketball
Rhode Island defeated Monmouth 84-66 on Saturday, improving to 2-0 on the season while Monmouth fell to 0-2. Jason Fontenet II, Matas Deniusas and Jonah Hinton each scored at least 14 points for the Rams.
Why it matters
The win gives Rhode Island a perfect start to its season and a clean early-season result for the state's Division I program. Monmouth's loss leaves the Hawks winless through two games.
Fontenet scored 15 points with nine rebounds and Deniusas scored 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting with seven rebounds, while Hinton added 14 points on 5-of-12 shooting. Spartalis led Monmouth with 13 points and 13 rebounds, and the extraction does not provide further season-long comparisons.
The players
Rhode Island
The University of Rhode Island is a public research university in Kingston, Rhode Island, whose athletic teams compete in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
Monmouth
Monmouth University is a private university in West Long Branch, New Jersey, whose athletic teams compete in the Coastal Athletic Association.
The details
Rhode Island took the lead for good with 18:31 left in the first half and led 36-22 at halftime. The Rams extended their advantage to 45-28 in the second half after a 7-0 scoring run, with Fontenet scoring a team-high 12 points after the break.
Timeline
Saturday: Rhode Island defeats Monmouth 84-66.
Tuesday: Rhode Island hosts Maine at home.
Thursday: Monmouth visits Quinnipiac.
Season Trajectory
Rhode Island's 2-0 start gives the Rams an early statement win in a season that is only two games old. Monmouth's 0-2 start leaves the Hawks in an early hole as they look to compete in the Coastal Athletic Association.
Rhode Island's 2-0 start puts the Rams in a strong early position for their next home game against Maine on Tuesday. Monmouth's 0-2 record means the Hawks face Quinnipiac on Thursday needing their first win of the season.
The takeaway
Early-season wins can set the tone for a team's conference schedule, and Rhode Island's balanced scoring from Fontenet, Deniusas and Hinton showed depth that will matter in tougher games ahead. For Rhode Island fans, the next test comes at home against Maine on Tuesday.
What happens next
Rhode Island hosts Maine on Tuesday, and Monmouth visits Quinnipiac on Thursday.
Further reading
For more on the Rams' season, see Rhode Island Basketball coverage across the state.
