Providence 72, Rhode Island 57: Kadeem Batts scored 23 points and LaDontae Henton had 21 and 17 rebounds as the host Friars pulled away from their in-state rivals.

Josh Fortune added 17 points, five rebounds and five steals for Providence (7-2), which has won five straight.

Jordan Hare led the Rams (2-7) with 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting. His teammates combined to shoot 14-for-45 (31.1 percent) and turn the ball over 18 times.

Neither team led by more than four points until Henton scored seven during a 9-0 run that put Providence in front 40-33 with 15:34 remaining.

The Rams got within three points moments later before the hosts strung together 10 straight points over a span of six-plus minutes. Rhode Island went 0-for-6 from the floor and had six turnovers during a second-half stretch without a field goal that lasted 8:21, after which it trailed 52-39.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Rams G Xavier Munford had 82 points over his last three games. He was limited to 10 on 3-of-13 shooting in this one. ... Friars G Bryce Cotton, who entered the night leading all Big East players in scoring (22.1), had just 11 points but dished out a season-high seven assists. ... Providence owns a 41-17 series advantage in games played at home.