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Rhode Island defeats Charlotte 80-58

Mar 4, 2010 - 2:44 AM KINGSTON, R.I.(AP) -- Keith Cothran scored 18 points and Rhode Island used a second-half surge to pull away from Charlotte 80-58 on Wednesday night.

The Rams (21-7, 9-6 Atlantic 10 Conference) held the 49ers scoreless for more than 7 minutes in the first half to take a 24-20 lead and went into halftime with a 28-26 advantage.

The 49ers pulled ahead 37-36 on an An'Juan Wilderness layup with 15:34 left, then the Rams went on a 17-2 run to lead 53-39 with 9:03 to go.

Charlotte (19-10, 9-6) got within 66-54 with 5:15 to go, but Rhode Island closed out the game on a 14-4 run.

Rhode Island scored 23 points off 18 49ers turnovers.

Delroy James added 13 points, Lamonte Ulmer had 12 and Akeem Richmond 11 for the Rams, who shot 49.3 percent from the field (33-for-67).

Shamari Spears scored 13 points and Chris Braswell added 12 for Charlotte, which outrebounded Rhode Island 36-33.