Rhode Island
Rhode Island earns Eastern Conference title with win in Charleston
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Goals either side of halftime by Zach Herivaux and Noah Fuson sent Rhode Island FC to a 2-1 victory against the Charleston Battery before a sellout crowd of 5,087 at Patriots Point in the Eastern Conference Final of the 2024 USL Championship Playoffs presented by Terminix as RIFC became only the third team to reach the USL Championship Final in its expansion season in the league.
Rhode Island earned its third road victory of the playoffs, ending the Battery’s reign as Eastern Conference title holders. RIFC will now visit Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Weider Field next Saturday in the Championship Final at 12 p.m. ET.
The Battery had an early chance on a counterattack down the left that saw Aaron Molloy’s cross find Jackson Conway, whose finish went wide of the right post, while Juan David Torres flashed a shot wide from distance in the 17th minute. Rhode Island, meanwhile, had its first good chance three minutes later when the visitors got out in transition to set up Albert Dikwa for a shot that slid wide of the left post.
RIFC threatened again 10 minutes before halftime when Clay Holstad’s long throw-in from the right was flicked on at the near post by JJ Williams, forcing a scrambling one-handed save by Battery goalkeeper Adam Grinwis, who was able to palm the ball off a Rhode Island player and behind for a goal kick.
The Battery also went close from a set piece soon after as a short corner between Torres and Aaron Molloy created space for the Colombian on the left for a back-post cross that Nick Markanich fired into the outside of the side-netting.
The visitors went close again off a corner from the right which was headed on target by JJ Williams, forcing Grinwis into a diving save, but off a subsequent throw-in from the left, Holstad’s delivery got all the way through to Karifa Yao, whose header just outside the six-yard area was turned in at close range by Herivaux to put Rhode Island ahead.
Rhode Island believed it had doubled its lead six minutes into the second half when Dikwa fired home a volley off a header by Frank Nodarse off another recycled set piece, only for Nodarse to be ruled to have committed a foul in winning the header. Two minutes later, however, the visitors struck again as Fuson found space in the left channel and roofed home a finish from eight yards.
The Battery got back into the game just past the hour-mark when Torres curled home a free kick from 35 yards that deceived RIFC goalkeeper Koke Vegas and clipped the underside of the crossbar before finding the back of the net. The visitors almost responded immediately as Yao shot wide off a cutback cross from Marc Ybarra, while Markanich shot off target for the Battery with 20 minutes to go.
As the Battery tried to press late for an equalizer to send the game to extra time, however, Rhode Island’s back line held firm. The visitors, in fact, almost added a third with two minutes to play as Fuson was denied by Grinwis, but it proved academic as RIFC’s defense kept Charleston from a clean look at goal in stoppage time to see out the result.
Rhode Island
Three thoughts on Rhode Island basketball’s labored win over Canisius
WATCH: URI postgame after topping Canisius on Dec. 16
URI’s Tyler Cochran and head coach Archie Miller speak after the Rams win, 62-45.
SOUTH KINGSTOWN – Two different teams, two opposite halves, two ways of breaking down a respected opponent – call Tuesday night at the Ryan Center whatever you like.
It was ultimately a return to the win column for the University of Rhode Island men against Canisius, as the Rams buried the first 18 minutes of action in favor of the final 22.
Tyler Cochran sparked them to life early in the second half, and Jonah Hinton eventually gave URI the lead for keeps with 15:44 left. The Golden Griffins called a timeout to prevent an oncoming avalanche, one they ultimately couldn’t stop in a 62-45 slugfest.
The Rams were poor offensively in a loss to McNeese State and followed with another early struggle here. They entered halftime on a 5-0 run to face just a 27-22 deficit and started doing the little things out of the break that tend to mean victory.
“We weren’t playing freely,” URI coach Archie Miller said. “We weren’t playing confidently. Second half, much more in character in terms of how our group plays.”
URI entered off defeats against rival Providence and the Cowboys, who stole a 66-64 triumph here on a last-second jumper by Tyshawn Archie. The Rams had a week-long exam break to stew on the 15 turnovers they committed in the second half against McNeese State and carried that rancid form into the early going against Canisius. URI was just 6-for-29 from the field and gave the ball away 11 times before emerging from the locker room with a fresh approach.
“The first half was kind of going through the motions,” Cochran said. “We preached in the second half that we needed to come out as a better team, and I think we did a good job as a team.”
How did the Rams author what was ultimately a 27-point swing in this one? Here are three thoughts from the matchup, which was played in front of a season-low 2,895 fans in Kingston.
Tyler Cochran provided the spark
Cochran was exactly the spark URI needed to snap out of its funk.
His opening three minutes of the second half included an offensive rebound and putback layup, a dive to the floor for a loose ball and steal, a diagonal pass to Hinton for a 3-pointer and a jumper of his own from beyond the arc in the right corner.
That left the Rams in a 30-30 tie with 16:49 to play, the last of four in the game. Hinton followed with another deep jumper from NBA range, and Myles Corey connected on his own with 15:06 left. URI was up by two possessions and rarely pushed the rest of the way.
“In the first half it didn’t seem like we were having much fun,” Cochran said. “It seemed like we were just trying to get the game over with.”
Cochran finished with nine of his 12 points, three of his four rebounds, all four of his assists and all four of his steals after the break. He was plus-23 in 18 second-half minutes, which was a team best. It’s exactly what the Rams expected while recruiting Cochran to his fifth college stop.
“We talked about it at halftime – who’s going to ignite us?” Miller said. “And it wasn’t going to be scoring baskets.”
New-look starting five
URI (8-4) went almost exclusively with its new starting five in the second half.
Damone King played four minutes off the bench and Drissa Traore logged two. It was Cochran, Hinton, Corey, Keeyan Itejere and new addition Jahmere Tripp otherwise, with Hinton and Corey going the full 20 minutes.
RJ Johnson (illness) was dressed, but the Rams wanted to stay away from him after limited practice work leading into the game. Alex Crawford was benched for the final 22:33 after a turnover on an inbounds play led to the Golden Griffins (5-7) building their largest lead at 27-17.
“We were out there playing hard,” Corey said. “We were down a body. RJ was sick, so I had to step up.”
Tripp finished with nine points, five rebounds and a plus-24 rating in 29 minutes – that was a team best. He opened in favor of Crawford after entering the night with superior numbers in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, shooting, 3-point shooting and foul shooting.
“Jahmere has been very productive,” Miller said. “Trying to get him more minutes. Starting the game with him in the game is something we want to move towards.”
Rams made it harder than it had to be
URI made hard work of this one early.
The Rams committed 11 of their 13 turnovers in the first half and were just 6-for-29 from the field. They connected on only one of their first 14 attempts from 3-point range and sank into a double-digit hole just before halftime.
Anthony Benard followed a layup inside with a steal on the ensuing inbounds pass. He was fouled by Crawford and connected on a pair of free throws to extend the momentum Canisius built to that point.
“The first was really unwatchable at times,” Miller said. “We played a tight first half offensively getting adjusted to what they were doing.”
URI needed barely four minutes to match their 3-point total in the second half, hitting three of their first five from deep. The Rams also didn’t commit their first turnover until Cochran fumbled the ball out of bounds on a drive to the rim with 7:33 left. URI owned a 50-38 lead by that point and already had enough of a margin to ensure the final result.
“We just had to take the lid off the rim, really,” Corey said. “Our defense carried us and got us through the half.”
CANISIUS (45): Javante Edwards 1-2 0-0 3, Myles Wilmoth 0-4 0-0 0, Kahlil Singleton 1-4 4-4 6, Bryan Ndjonga 4-18 2-4 11, Mike Evbagharu 2-5 0-0 5, Chris Kumu 0-1 2-4 2, Anthony Benard 3-3 2-2 10, Brendan Oliver 0-0 0-0 0, King Ijeoma 4-10 0-0 8. Totals 15-47 10-14 45.
RHODE ISLAND (62): Jahmere Tripp 3-12 3-3 9, Jonah Hinton 6-18 4-4 20, Myles Corey 4-7 2-2 12, Tyler Cochran 5-11 0-0 12, Keeyan Itejere 2-5 2-4 6, Alex Crawford 0-5 0-0 0, Damone King 1-3 0-0 3, Drissa Traore 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 21-61 11-13 62.
Halftime – C, 27-22. 3-point FG – C 5-15 (Edwards 1-1, Wilmoth 0-1, Singleton 0-3, Ndjonga 1-6, Evbagharu 1-2, Benard 2-2), RI 9-34 (Tripp 0-5, Hinton 4-13, Corey 2-5, Cochran 2-5, Crawford 0-3, King 1-3). Rebounds – C 34 (Ndjonga 8), RI 43 (Itejere 11). Assists – C 10 (Benard 4), RI 10 (Cochran 4). Turnovers – C 19 (Benard 6), RI 13 (Tripp 3, Crawford 3). Blocked shots – C 2 (Ijeoma 2), RI 5 (Corey 2). Steals – C 8 (Evbagharu 4), RI 10 (Cochran 4). Attendance – 2,895.
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On X: @BillKoch25
Rhode Island
RI Lottery Mega Millions, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Dec. 16, 2025
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 16, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 16 drawing
20-24-46-59-65, Mega Ball: 07
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 16 drawing
03-04-19-24-39, Lucky Ball: 11
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Numbers numbers from Dec. 16 drawing
Midday: 0-5-9-8
Evening: 8-5-3-5
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from Dec. 16 drawing
03-14-15-29-38, Extra: 30
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
- Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
- Winners of the Lucky for Life top prize of $1,000 a day for life and second prize of $25,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.
When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
- Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Rhode Island
RI schools urged to review safety protocols in wake of Brown University shooting
Authorities continue to search for Brown University gunman
Authorities are still searching for the gunman who opened fire on Brown University’s campus during finals.
The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) is urging local elementary and secondary schools to review safety protocols following the mass shooting at Brown University.
Days after two people were killed and nine others were injured in a shooting on the college campus, the department reminded schools statewide to ensure they are following existing safety policies, including keeping exterior doors closed and locked at all times.
“While the events of this weekend are tragic, they are also a reminder and an opportunity to re-train, reinforce, and go through the necessary safety steps, once more,” Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green said in a statement.
She emphasized the importance of following the protocols, including visitor policies, “as designed and written.”
In its latest announcement, RIDE also provided a list of resources for students, families, and school staff for “navigating difficult conversations” about topics such as violence and hate.
Rhode Island schools reminded to keep interior doors closed, exterior doors closed and locked
While all exterior doors should remain closed and locked, the department said, all interior doors should also remain closed. All visitors should go through a single, secure point of entry, according to RIDE.
In Providence, all elementary, middle, and high schools are also required to establish staff “crisis teams” and conduct 15 safety drills each year, according to the district’s existing safety protocols.
In the wake of the Brown University shooting on Dec. 13, Providence Public Schools said students should expect an increased police presence on and near their campuses.
All after-school activities, sporting events, and field trips at Providence schools planned for Monday, Dec. 15, and Tuesday, Dec. 16, were canceled out of an “abundance of caution.”
The district said that it would announce its plans for the rest of the week as soon as possible.
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