KINGSTON, R.I. (AP) - Nikola Malesevic scored 16 of his 20 points in the second half as Rhode Island broke open a close game to defeat Fordham 72-52 on Wednesday night.

Trailing 28-25 at the break, Rhode Island (14-8, 5-3 Atlantic 10 Conference) outscored Fordham 47-24 in the second half.

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Delroy James added 17 points and Marquis Jones 16 for Rhode Island, which has won five of its last seven games while Fordham (6-14, 0-8) has lost 10 in a row.

In the battle of the ``Rams,' Rhode Island opened the second half on a 26-8 run.

Fordham, which was scoreless the first 5 minutes of the second half, pulled within nine with 6:51 left, but could get no closer.

Rhode Island hit 6 of 9 3-pointers in the second half after going 1 of 13 in the first.

Alberto Estwick and Chris Gaston scored 18 points apiece for Fordham, which shot 29.1 percent from the field (16 of 55) for the game.