SOUTH KINGSTOWN — Three games into the season, it seems safe to draw one conclusion about this season’s URI basketball team: The Rams are better defensively than they have been. In fact, they look as if they could be very good in that department.

It was defense that carried the night on Tuesday as URI beat Stony Brook, 75-58, at the Ryan Center.

The Rams held the Seawolves to just six field goals and 17 points in the first half, which allowed Rhode Island to control the game, even on a mediocre offensive night.

The Rams had only 32 points themselves at the break, but because of their defense, they led by 15. As happened Sunday against Holy Cross, URI dropped the intensity a level in the second half, allowing Stony Brook (3-1) to hang in the game.

Afterwards, the Rams were concerned about their play in the halfcourt offense, which was not sharp. But the defense was so good, the team had no trouble staying unbeaten.

For the third straight start, URI forced more turnovers than it committed and got more shots than its opponents. This time, the Rams benefited from 21 turnovers (while committing 13), had 12 steals and nine blocked shots.

Coach Jim Baron was satisfied with the defensive work his players turned in.

“To me, this can be one of the best [defensive] teams I’ve ever coached,” he said. Baron spoke about how he has had strong defensive units, both at St. Bonaventure and URI, but how he feels this team can be special in that aspect.

His starting unit is good defensively, he said.

“Then we bring in Stevie [Mejia], Jamal [Wilson], Akeem [Richmond] and Orion [Outerbridge] and we don’t miss a beat,” Baron said. “There are lots of different ways to come out on top.”

Lamonte Ulmer led URI with 16 points and 3 steals. Keith Cothran had 15 points and 3 steals, Will Martell 10 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocked shots and Akeem Richmond 10 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals. Marcus Rouse led Stony Brook with 16 points.

The Rhody defense set the tempo. URI forced 8 turnovers in the first 10 minutes, helping the Rams jump to leads of 10-0 and 20-5. For a time, Stony Brook had trouble even getting the ball upcourt against the URI pressure. The Seawolves had 12 turnovers and only 6 baskets in the first half. The 17 points was the lowest total URI has allowed in a half since holding Boston University to 14 four years ago.

As happened against Holy Cross, the intensity seemed to decline in the second half.

“I hate to use the cliché, but it was a tale of two halves,” Martell said. “In the first half we played really well, in the second half … people started doing their own thing. We’ve got to work harder to come out and really shut guys down.”

“It seems like in the second half we play a little sluggish, a little laid back,” Ulmer offered.

When games are closer, that might change. And the team’s struggle in the halfcourt could be an issue, too. But, for now, it is the defense that is carrying the Rams.