URI Roundup: Rams Crush RIC; Energy-Alcohol Drink Banned

Rams Easily Handle RIC in Final Preseason Game

Despite injuries and academically ineligible players that left them with just eight scholarship players, the men's basketball team easily handled Division III Rhode Island College 88-55 in its final exhibition game before starting the regular season.

Forward Nikola Malesevic, who played just 59 minutes last year, led all scorers with 24 points. Head coach Jim Baron praised the improvement of Malesevic and Ryan Brooks, who chipped in 15 points, from their freshman to sophomore years.

Several Rhode Island basketball products logged minutes for the Anchormen. Senior Nick Mansion of Newport finished with 13 points, tops for RIC. Freshman Tom DeCiantis of North Kingstown chipped in two points, two rebounds, an assist and a steal in 10 minutes. Newport's Mason Choice logged 31 minutes for RIC, scoring seven points and grabbing five boards.

URI opens its regular season 7 p.m. Nov. 8 at Pittsburgh. The game is televised on ESPNU, which is Ch. 134 on Cox Digital Cable.

Women's Soccer Coach Resigns

According to a press release by URI's athletic department, women's soccer coach Zac Shaw has resigned effective Nov. 1.

In six seasons at URI, Shaw posted a 51-59-8 record. This year the Rams placed 10^th in the Atlantic 10 (3-12-3, 3-5-1 league). The Rams didn't make the NCAA tournament during Shaw's tenure, and last made the tournament in 2002, finishing 16-6-1 under coach Geoff Bennett.

University Bans Four Loko Alcohol, Energy Drink

URI has banned a hybrid alcohol-energy drink that prevents people from realizing they are intoxicated until they vomit or pass out. Vice President of Student Affairs Tom Dougan said several students required medical attention after drinking.

The university is the third, following Central Washington University of Washington state and Ramapo College of New Jersey, to ban Four Loko.  The Boston Globe notes in an article that the drink is billed on college campuses as "blackout in a can."