KINGSTON, R.I. -Just 21 seconds into overtime Wednesday, University of Massachusetts junior forward Terrell Vinson lowered his shoulder and was called for a charge. It was his fifth foul and Rhode Island went on to win 81-78.

While the whistle cost the Minutemen one of their best crunch-time players, it was indicative of a larger problem as UMass has been committing an unusual number of offensive infractions and fouls far away from its defensive basket. Vinson had two charges and a reach-in on the offensive end. He hasn't been the only Minuteman making these mistakes.

"That is concerning. It's a four- or five-point swing," UMass coach Derek Kellogg said. "Not only do you lose a chance at two points, but they can come down and score a two or three at the other end. Quite a few games this year we've had six or seven of them in a game, which is kind of unheard of. We'll have to watch the tape and teach our guys not to use their off arm or be so aggressive."

ATLANTIC 10 STANDINGS - The loss dropped UMass (16-6, 5-3 A-10) from a first-place tie in the conference to a three-way tie for fourth place with Saint Louis and St. Bonaventure. La Salle is alone in first at 6-2, followed by Temple (5-2) and Xavier (6-3).

CONTAINING BARON, HOLTON - UMass held Rams leading scorer Billy Baron to just nine points. Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year candidate Jonathan Holton had just one point and four rebounds, well below both of his averages of 10.9 ppg and 8.2 rpg. But Orion Outerbridge's 29 points and 11 rebounds were both career highs.

WARDROBE MALFUNCTION - Freddie Riley's No. 4 jersey was accidentally left behind forcing the junior to wear No. 14. He finished with eight points.

NEXT UP - UMass will play at George Washington at 7 p.m. Saturday.  The Colonials (9-14, 3-5 Atlantic 10) fell at home to Xavier 59-58 Wednesday.

Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Follow UMass coverage on Twitter at twitter.com/GazetteUMass. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at http://www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage.