AMHERST, Mass. -- Chaz Williams scored a season-high 27 points and dished eight assists as Massachusetts downed Rhode Island 81-53 in Atlantic 10 Conference action Wednesday night.

Williams hit 9 of 14 from the field, 3 of 5 from 3-point range and 6 of 6 at the foul line for the Minutemen (15-6, 5-3), who extended a 41-31 halftime lead into the 28-point victory.

Xavier Munford paced the Rams (6-15, 1-7) with 22 points on 7-of-17 shooting. The rest of the team made just 11 of 37 shots.

UMass knocked down 51.9 percent (28 of 54) from the floor, including 9 of 19 form 3-point range, with Terrell Vinson accounting for three treys in four attempts en route to 13 points.

Rhode Island has dropped five straight and seven of its past eight.

The Minutemen held a 38-27 rebound advantage and dished 19 assists to the Rams' 10.