KINGSTON, R.I. (AP) — Sebastian Thomas’ 19 points helped Rhode Island defeat Providence 69-63 on Saturday.
Thomas shot 7 for 14 (3 for 5 from 3-point range) and 2 of 3 from the free-throw line for the Rams (9-0). Jaden House scored 18 points and added five rebounds. David Green shot 4 for 11 (1 for 3 from 3-point range) and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line to finish with 12 points, while adding eight rebounds and three blocks.
Advertisement
The Friars (6-4) were led in scoring by Bryce Hopkins, who finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Bensley Joseph added 16 points and two steals for Providence. Jayden Pierre also had 12 points and three steals.
House scored 14 points in the first half and Rhode Island went into halftime trailing 35-28. Thomas scored 17 points down the stretch in the second half to help lead Rhode Island to a six-point victory.
NEXT UP
Both teams next play Tuesday. Rhode Island visits Brown and Providence squares off against DePaul on the road.
___
Advertisement
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Rhode Island declares State of Emergency in anticipation of big storm
Chief of information and public relations for the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency Courtney Marciano joins FOX Weather to discuss how officials are preparing for the biggest snowstorm in years, which is expected to dump over a foot of snow in major Northeast cities.
Alabama baseball swept Rhode Island in a three-game series between Friday and Saturday. This boosted the Crimson Tide’s record up to 7-1 to start the season.
Advertisement
The first game of the series ended 19-4 in seven innings. The second and third game were rescheduled as a doubleheader, and the second game ended 8-5, while the third finished in the eighth inning after Alabama went up 11-1.
Advertisement
“It was obviously a really long day of baseball. We all went to bed last night not expecting to play two. We woke up this morning not expecting to play two, and then weather had a different idea up in the North-East. ” Head Coach Rob Vaughn said in the press conference on playing the unexpected double header.
“Just proud of the guys for their professional approach. I mean they found out at about 9 o’clock that we were going to be playing two today, and they rang the bell. Thats a long long day, but I knew that group would come out and compete. That first game was tight, Zane (Adams) threw the ball really well.
“Those guys have been incredible. Even today, game one, just showing up. A lot of times Friday nights thats the thing, and then Saturday rolls around and its like as the weekend goes the attendance goes down and down and down, but I think it was rocking again in that first inning.” Vaughn said on the right field attendance.
“A couple of things played into it. There was a bit of a last minute change to the starting pitcher for the other team, maybe three minutes before the game started, which I wasn’t thrilled about. There was nothing malicious there, there was nothing malicious it was just an oversight.” Vaughn said on a interaction he had with the umpire.”
Advertisement
Take a look at 20 of BamaCentral’s photos from the three-game series:
1. Justin Lebron Throws to First
Advertisement
Alabama infielder Justin Lebron throws to first for an out in the second game of the series against Rhode Island on Feb. 21, 2026. | Sarah Munzenmaier/Alabama Crimson Tide on SI
2. Justin Osterhouse Gets Set to Run Home
Advertisement
Alabama infielder Justin Osterhouse watches the pitch on third in the second game of the series against Rhode Island on Feb. 21, 2026. | Sarah Munzenmaier/Alabama Crimson Tide on SI
3. Tyler Fay Throws the First Pitch
Advertisement
Alabama pitcher Tyler Fay pitches the ball in the first game of the series against Rhode Island on Feb. 20, 2026. | Sarah Munzenmaier/Alabama Crimson Tide on SI
4. Peyton Steele Snags a Base Hit
Advertisement
Alabama outfielder Peyton Steele swings in the third game against Rhode Island on Feb. 21, 2026. | Sarah Munzenmaier/Alabama Crimson Tide on SI
5. Luke Vaughn Celebrates a Hit
Advertisement
Alabama catcher Luke Vaughn celebrates a hit in the second game of the series against Rhode Island on Feb. 21, 2026. | Sarah Munzenmaier/Alabama Crimson Tide on SI
6. Bryce Fowler Gets Set on First
Advertisement
Alabama outfielder Bryce Fowler gets set on first in the first game of the series against Rhode Island on Feb. 20, 2026. | Sarah Munzenmaier/Alabama Crimson Tide on SI
7. Peyton Steele Slides Home
Advertisement
Alabama outfielder Peyton Steele slides home in the second game of the series against Rhode Island on Feb. 21, 2026. | Sarah Munzenmaier/Alabama Crimson Tide on SI
8. Justin Osterhouse Snags a Base Hit
Advertisement
Alabama infielder Justin Osterhouse hits the ball in the second game of the series against Rhode Island on Feb. 21, 2026. | Sarah Munzenmaier/Alabama Crimson Tide on SI
9. John Lemm Catches the Ball
Advertisement
Alabama catch John Lemm catches the ball in the second game of the series against Rhode Island on Feb. 21, 2026. | Sarah Munzenmaier/Alabama Crimson Tide on SI
10. Justin Lebron Celebrates His Home Run
Advertisement
Alabama infielder Justin Lebron celebrates his homer in the third game of the series against Rhode Island on Feb. 21, 2026. | Sarah Munzenmaier/Alabama Crimson Tide on SI
11. Luke Vaughn Makes a Play on First
Advertisement
Alabama infielder Luke Vaughn catches the ball at first for an out in the second game of the series against Rhode Island on Feb. 21, 2026. | Sarah Munzenmaier/Alabama Crimson Tide on SI
12. Rob Vaughn Talks to the Umpire
Advertisement
Alabama head coach Rob Vaughn talks to the umpire in the third game of the series against Rhode Island on Feb. 21, 2026. | Sarah Munzenmaier/Alabama Crimson Tide on SI
13. Justin Osterhouse Snags the Ball
Advertisement
Alabama infielder Justin Osterhouse grabs the ball in the second game of the series against Rhode Island on Feb. 21, 2026. | Sarah Munzenmaier/Alabama Crimson Tide on SI
14. Jason Torres Snags a Base Hit
Advertisement
Alabama infielder Jason Torres swings in the second game of the series against Rhode Island on Feb. 21, 2026. | Sarah Munzenmaier/Alabama Crimson Tide on SI
15. Bryce Fowler Celebrates Stealing Second
Advertisement
Alabama outfielder Bryce Fowler celebrates a stolen base in the third game of the series against Rhode Island on Feb. 21, 2026. | Sarah Munzenmaier/Alabama Crimson Tide on SI
16. John Lemm Celebrates His Home Run
Advertisement
Alabama catcher John Lemm celebrates his home run in the second game of the series against Rhode Island on Feb. 21, 2026. | Sarah Munzenmaier/Alabama Crimson Tide on SI
17. Jason Torres Rounds Third
Advertisement
Alabama infielder Jason Torres rounds third after his home run in the third game of the series against Rhode Island on Feb. 21, 2026. | Sarah Munzenmaier/Alabama Crimson Tide on SI
18. Myles Upchurch on the Mound
Advertisement
Alabama pitcher Myles Upchurch prepares to pitch in the third game of the series against Rhode Island on Feb. 21, 2026. | Sarah Munzenmaier/Alabama Crimson Tide on SI
19. Luke Vaughn Celebrates His Home Run
Advertisement
Alabama infielder Luke Vaughn points to the student section to celebrate his home run in the second game of the series against Rhode Island on Feb. 21 | Sarah Munzenmaier/Alabama Crimson Tide on SI
20. Brady Neal Bunts
Advertisement
Alabama catcher Brady Neal bunts in the third game of the series against Rhode Island on Feb. 21, 2026. | Sarah Munzenmaier/Alabama Crimson Tide on SI
The snowstorm that hit Rhode Island on January 25-26 dropped about 16 inches on Providence.
Some of it is still blocking some corners, nearly a month later.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley’s administration has been widely criticized by residents, small business owners, and members of the City Council for the poor response.
Advertisement
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE — SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
Many, if not all, Providence streets were poorly plowed. Adding insult to injury, some business owners and homeowners failed to properly clear their sidewalks. While residents were fuming about the failed cleanup, Smiley left the City to attend a conference in Washington, D.C.
The city ordinance requires sidewalks to be cleared 36 inches so those with disabilities can pass. The city cites few for failure to clear sidewalks, issuing fewer than 80 citations.
Three Weeks Later
Advertisement
This week, the Rhode Island State Police escorted a person in a wheelchair who decided to use Route 6, because Providence streets and sidewalks were impassable three weeks after the storm.
“We received calls [about a wheelchair rider] on the highway. We basically gave them an escort off the highway and spoke with them about the dangers of being on the highway,” said Lt. Col. John Allen.
Police also spoke with the rider.
“They said they were concerned about being on the city streets with no place to go,” said Allen. “But again, we shared our concerns about them being on the highway, and that they should not do it again.”
Advertisement
SEE VIDEO ABOVE
The Smiley administration was also criticized for dumping snow in South Providence on the site of the former Urban League.
This Coming Storm
Advertisement
The National Weather Service forecasts that Providence will receive 12-20 inches from late Sunday afternoon into Monday.
Rhode Island Energy warns that winds could gust to 60 MPH
With snow accumulation expected to begin Sundayevening, the City announced that a parking ban will go into effect at 3 PM on Sunday, February 22, until further notice.
The parking ban will prohibit parking on all snow routes and city streets to allow snowplows to clear roadways effectively. The ban will remain in effect until further notice, and violators may be subject to ticketing and towing. During a parking ban, residents, including those with an overnight parking permit, are not allowed to park on city streets. Parking in Providence Public School parking lots is prohibited during a parking ban.
