KISSIMMEE, Fla. (Interstat) — In a neutral-site showdown defined by offensive efficiency and defensive disruption, the Rhode Island Rams secured a convincing 90-75 victory over the Temple Owls in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Wednesday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

The Rams, improving to 6-2, used a potent offensive performance and a series of key defensive stops to pull away from the Owls, who fell to 4-3. Rhode Island never trailed after the opening minutes, building a two-point halftime lead into a comfortable double-digit margin for much of the second half.

Rhode Island’s offense operated with remarkable precision, scoring 90 points on 70 possessions for an offensive rating of 128.7. The Rams shot 55 percent from the floor, connecting on 32 of 58 field goal attempts. Their success from beyond the arc was a decisive factor, as they made 12 of 28 three-pointers. Temple, by contrast, managed an offensive rating of 107.6, shooting 22 of 49 from the field and just 6 of 19 from three-point range.

The Rams established control early, with Jonah Hinton and Tyler Cochran leading the charge. The duo from Chicago combined for 45 points, with Hinton scoring 25 and Cochran adding 20. Hinton was particularly effective from deep, hitting several crucial three-pointers to stifle Temple rallies. Cochran contributed across the board, dishing out four assists.

While Temple attempted to stay in the game through frequent trips to the free-throw line, making 25 of 33 attempts, they could not match Rhode Island’s multifaceted attack. The Rams dominated the interior, outscoring the Owls 40-26 in the paint, and capitalized on mistakes, scoring 16 points off 10 Temple turnovers. The Owls managed only six points off Rhode Island’s six giveaways.

Rhode Island’s defensive presence was anchored by Keeyan Itejere of Knightdale, N.C., who recorded four blocks and altered numerous other shots in the lane. He also added 10 points. Jahmere Tripp provided a significant spark off the bench for the Rams, scoring 14 points and grabbing multiple key rebounds.

Temple was led by AJ Smith of Charlotte, N.C., who scored 18 points. Derrian Ford added 11 points, while Aiden Tobiason and Masiah Gilyard each chipped in 11. Jordan Mason facilitated the offense with six assists but struggled with his shot.

The game’s tempo was set from the opening tip, which was won by Itejere. Rhode Island built an early lead with a 10-2 run, highlighted by a three-pointer from Cochran and another from Hinton. Temple responded, largely through free throws and the inside presence of Smith, to keep the game close throughout the first half. The Rams took a 41-39 lead into halftime after a tightly contested opening period.

The second half belonged to Rhode Island. The Rams opened with a 7-2 burst, and every time Temple threatened to cut the deficit to a single possession, a Rhode Island three-pointer or a forced turnover would extend the lead. A key sequence occurred midway through the half when a steal by Cochran led to a fast break, culminating in a dunk by Itejere that energized the Rams and pushed their lead to 13 points.

Temple’s offense, which relied heavily on isolation plays, was stifled by Rhode Island’s active hands and rim protection. The Rams finished with six steals and five blocks, consistently disrupting the Owls’ rhythm. Rhode Island also shared the ball effectively, recording six assists to Temple’s three, illustrating a more cohesive offensive scheme.

The victory extends Rhode Island’s positive momentum as they head into a stretch of regional games, including a home contest against Brown on Tuesday. Temple looks to rebound on the road against Villanova on Monday.

The game’s total score of 165 surpassed the pregame over/under line of 154. Rhode Island entered the contest as a 3-point favorite, a margin they covered with ease, defying a statistical projection that had given Temple a slight probability to win. A crowd of 539 was in attendance for the holiday-week matchup in central Florida.