PROVIDENCE — Stefan Vaaks is a long way from home.

And yet, he silenced early disapproval from Providence fans and Rhode Island men’s basketball’s first half surge. The student section’s displeasure of Providence’s start was warranted, but Vaaks didn’t let it boil over.

The freshman from Estonia saved Saturday’s matinee in Providence before Rhode Island could play upset. Vaaks rotated to the wing, and Corey Floyd Jr. found him for his first step-up 3-pointer. He crossed over right and canned his second triple, from the opposite wing, on the next possession.

Vaaks halted Rhode Island’s next drive, in the paint, and trailed the transition for a third straight 3-pointer — this time from the key. His final triple in the sequence was off a transition kick-out from Jason Edwards.

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