By MARK DIDTLER
Associated Press

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) – Perry Ellis scored 17 points and No. 11 Kansas beat Rhode Island 76-60 on Thursday in the opening round of the Orlando Classic.

Ellis had 11 points in the opening 20 minutes to help Kansas cruise to a 43-25 halftime lead. The Jayhawks went ahead 31-11 with just over 6 minutes before intermission on Ellis’ rebound slam.

Frank Mason III added 12 points for Kansas (3-1), which has a pair of victories since a 72-40 loss to No. 1 Kentucky on Nov. 18.

E.C. Matthews scored 20 points for Rhode Island (3-1), which was coming off a 66-62 overtime victory over then-No. 21 Nebraska on Saturday. Gilvydas Biruta had 16 points and seven rebounds.