Rams Survive 64-52 Against Wildcats

KINGSTON — The University of Rhode Islandmen's basketball team held on for a 64-52 victory over the University of New Hampshire Saturday afternoon at the Thomas M. Ryan Center.

"We knew this was going to be a dogfight, it usually is at this time," head coach Jim Baron said.  "I thought it was a good game, and we're bouncing back."

The turning point for the Rams came with 4:08 remaining in the first half, after the Wildcats' Ferg Myrick was ejected after getting into a tussle with senior Ben Eaves.

"It was just playing basketball, guys get into it, guys get hyped it really wasn't anything, and obviously the refs came did a good job of stepping in," Eaves said.  "It wasn't a big problem and it happens, but it's over now."

To put it in perspective how important Myrick was to UNH at that point in the game, he had scored 10 of the Wildcats' 21 points.  Additionally, he remained the Wildcats leading scorer until Tyrone Buckley drained a 3-pointer with 4:58 seconds left in the second half.

 "I told our guys that I was really proud that we didn't come back after that scenario and try to retaliate," Baron said.  "Hey, that kid's a good player, he's averaging 13 to 14 points a game and they need him."

Perceive that how you want it, as a successful defensive effort from the Rams or an inept offensive performance from the Wildcats, the bottom line is that Rhody did what it needed to do in order to get a victory in an uncomfortable style of play. 

Known for their fast-paced, up tempo style of play, the 64 points the Rams put up is their lowest point total of the season.  The second-lowest came in their last game, a 73-66 loss to Quinnipiac University.

The Rams made their push in the first half, turning 16 UNH turnovers into 14 points en route to a 37-24 lead at the break.

"This team is going to have to continue manufacturing points from other things than just scoring the ball," Baron said.  "Rebounding, turnovers, free throws are going to have to be something that we're going to continue to get better at doing."

It was fortunate that the Rams built the lead that they did in the first half, as neither team filled it up from the field in the second half.

The Rams went 8-for-24 from the field and 5-for-10 from the free throw line for 27 points in the second half, while UNH went 11-for-29 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free throw line for 28 points.

"Although they got a couple of open looks, I think for the most part we held the guys to below their averages, and I think the defense was a big part of that," Eaves said.

Senior Delroy James led the Rams with 22 points on 8-for-22 shooting and nine rebounds, while sophomore Nikola Malesevic chipped in with 11 points and six rebounds.

"They're the type of team that plays aggressive on defense, and I felt that I tried to get to the free throw line, but I couldn't as much as I wanted to so the shots were just going in and out," James said.

The following few games will prove to be a critical stretch in the season for the Rams, as the win over the Wildcats marks the first game of a three-game home stretch. 

"It felt good to come back and play at home, but we also have to play on the road the same way we do at home because if you rely on just winning games at home in the end you're not going to go very far," James said.

URI will host Lafayette College on Wednesday, and then take a week off before Boston College comes to Kingston.  The Rams will then have one more non-league game at the University of Florida on Jan. 3 before they begin play in the Atlantic 10 conference.

"It's really important because we are going through exam week, and we have to try to get focused and we're playing against good basketball teams," Baron said.  "We've got to be ready to go, and do what we need to do to get better."

As evident by Saturday's sloppy game with Wildcats, and given where they are in the schedule, this is a team that could use a serious boost.

Fortunately for the Rams, they will get that lift in the forms of 6'9" Orion Outerbridge, who is slated to return to action against Boston College.  URI is also hoping that guard Jamal Wilson will be able to return shortly.

"Jamal we're going to get him x-rayed on Monday, and Orion is going to be ready for Boston College," Baron said.  "Getting two more guys gives us two more bodies, and that allows us to lengthen our playing rotation."

Outerbridge and Wilson will provide a lift to the team's short rotation, and just in the nick of time with A-10 play just around the corner.



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