NEW: URI Gets Biggest Win of Season, Beating VCU 65-56
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NEW: URI Gets Biggest Win of Season, Beating VCU 65-56
The win is significant for URI as entering Saturday, VCU is one of three teams from the A-10 projected to make the NCAA Tournament, according to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi in his most recent Bracketology.
The other two teams projected to get in are #15 Dayton and Duquesne. URI has games against both of those teams coming up.
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VCU drops to 12-4 on the year and 2-1 in the A-10.
URI Holds on
After leading by as much as 15 points, 45-30, early in the second half, URI saw their lead trimmed to just one point, 51-50, with 6:46 to play in the game.
From that point, the Rams would go on a 12-3 run to take a 63-53 lead with 2:44 to play in the game.
Rhode Island’s run came mostly from the free-throw line, as URI made just two shots from the floor during that stretch.
Rhode Island knocked down 19-of-22 free throws in the game.
VCU would get back within six, 63-56, with 2:26 to play, but Rhode Island would answer with a quick layup by Tyrese Martin to put URI up 65-56.
URI would go on to win by that score.
The Rams were led by Jeff Dowtin who poured in 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
Fatts Russell returned to the starting lineup and poured 16 points and dished out six assists.
URI Takes Control in 1st
Leading 14-12 with 10:48 to play in the first half, URI went on a 16-3 run to take a 30-15 lead on a layup from Dowtin with 4:42 to play in the half.
VCU would rally to get back within six, 30-24, on a Marcus Evans three with 2:48 to play in the frame before two free throws from Dowtin pushed URI’s lead back up to 32-24.
VCU would again rally to get back within six, 32-26, with 1:52 left in the frame.
Rhode Island would again answer when Russell picked up his fourth steal of the half and found Dowtin for an open corner three with 26 seconds left in the half.
Rhode Island would take a 35-28 lead into the locker room.
Next Up
URI returns to action on Wednesday, January 15 when they visit Saint Joseph’s.
Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.