Rams Win Double OT Thriller At Auburn
Monday, November 26, 2012
The Rhody Rams have suffered some tough losses to start the season, not the least of which was their last game Friday night at home against Loyola, Maryland. So it’s only appropriate that URI found itself on the winning side of a barn-burner Sunday. The Rams defeated the SEC’s Auburn Tigers 78-72 in double overtime.
Things didn’t get off to a particularly good start for the Rams who fell behind 7-0 and 22-11 before rallying to trail by 5 at halftime 37-32.
After two quick buckets put the Tigers up 41-32 just over a minute into the second half, the Rams started to find their groove.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTLed by junior guard Xavier Munford (33 points), URI cut the Auburn lead to one 43-42 at the 15:40 mark. Munford scored 8 of the Rams 10 points during that stretch which included two three-pointers.
Auburn went up by 7 again 53-46 with 10 minutes to play but the resilient Rams fought back again.
A Jordan Hare (5 points, 9 rebounds) dunk and another Munford three helped the Rams tie the game at 53-53 with 7:20 to play.
Auburn’s Jordan Price (19 points) hit a three to put the Tigers back out in front 56-53 but Munford answered with another trey of his own to even the score at 56.
Nikola Malesevic (19 points) put the Rams up 58-56 with a lay-up with 4:31 left in what would turn out to be Rhody’s final points of regulation.
Fortunately for URI, Auburn could manage just two points over that stretch on a jumper by Rob Chubb with 2:27 left.
In the first overtime, Auburn raced out to a 5-point lead and led by 3 with :11 seconds to play. But the hero of the day Munford drained a long, off balance three as time expired in the first overtime tying the game at 66-66.
The second overtime belonged to the Rams as both Munford and Malesevic each hit big three’s. Both also hit free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.
The win was the first of the season for the Rams and new head coach Dan Hurley. It lifts Rhody’s record to (1-5). Auburn dropped to (2-4).
Next up for the Rams is a date with George Mason at the Ryan Center Wednesday night at 8pm. The Patriots are (4-2) having defeated Boston University 48-45 on Saturday.
Wednesday’s game will be televised on the CBS Sports Network.
