Rhody Falls To #4 Ohio State
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Now that's more like it!
The University of Rhode Island men's basketball team may not have picked up its first win of the season on Saturday, but the Rams did show that they are capable of a lot better than what they have demonstrated in their first two games of the season.
In a game where no one gave URI a chance, the Rams battled 4th-ranked Ohio State for 40 minutes at the Mohegan Sun Arena before eventually falling to the Buckeyes 69-58.
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Rhode Island actually raced out to a 7-point lead on Ohio State when Andre Malone (11 points) nailed one of his three trifectas with 8:28 to go in the first half. It put Rhody up 22-15.
The Buckeyes responded with an 11-0 run over the next 5 minutes to take the lead before Mike Powell's (10 points) jumper put Rhody up 24-23 with 3:14 to go in the half.
After two Jordan Hare free throws put URI up 26-23, Ohio State closed the half on a 7-0 run to take a 30-26 lead at the break.
The Buckeyes opened up an 8-point lead 4 minutes into the second half before Rhody battled back.
The Rams got it to within three at 41-38 on Mike Aaman's jumper with 12:42 to play but that would be as close as they could get.
Xavier Munford led the Rams with 16 points. Nikola Malesevic had 11.
URI shot a respectable 44% from the field (21-48) and 47% from three (8-17). The Rams also went a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line and held Ohio State to a season-low 44% (24-55) shooting.
Deshaun Thomas led the Buckeyes with 25 points and 10 rebounds.
URI (0-3) will take on Dan Hurley's alma mater - Seton Hall at 7pm Sunday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena as they wrap uo play in the Hall of Fame Classic.
