UPDATED: URI Rallies in 2nd Half to Knock Off Duquesne 77-55, Tied for 2nd in A-10

UPDATED: URI Rallies in 2nd Half to Knock Off Duquesne 77-55, Tied for 2nd in A-10

The University of Rhode Island men’s basketball team rallied from ten points down in the second half to knock off the first-place Duquesne Dukes 77-55 on Wednesday night at the Ryan Center.

The win puts Rhode Island in a tie for second place in the A-10, behind only #7 Dayton, who URI plays in the coming weeks.

The Rams were once again led by Fatts Russell, who netted 23 points on 9-of-20 shooting from the field.

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It is Russell’s 11th game this season with at least 20 points.

URI is now 13-5 on the season and 5-1 in the A-10, while Duquesne falls to 15-3 overall and 5-1 in the A-10.

URI Rallies in 2nd Half

The Rams trailed by ten, 40-30, in the opening minute of the second half before going on a big run to take control.

Sparked by back-to-back layups from Russell, Rhode Island went on a 16-1 run capped off by a Russell three to take a 46-41 lead with 13:52 to play in the game.

Duquesne would rally to tie the game at 46 on a three by Ashton Miller with 12:21 to play in the game, but the Rams would again take control.

The Rams would go on a 9-0 run to take a 55-46 lead after a Russell layup with 9:28 to play in the half.

The Rams would extend their lead to 11 points, 61-50, on a Dowtin three with 7:31 to play, before Duquesne cut the lead to nine, 61-52, with 6:35 to play.

Dowtin finished the game with 17 points. 

Rhode Island would score six straight points to take a 67-52 lead with 4:26 to play.

The Dukes would not threaten the rest of the way.

URI outscored Duquesne by 30 points, 47-17, in the second half. 

 

URI Trails at Half

Rhode Island trailed 23-22 with 5:38 left to play in the first half after Dowtin knocked down a jumper.

From that point, the Dukes went on a 9-2 run to take a 32-24 lead on a three from Tavian Dunn-Martin with 2:42 to play in the opening frame.

The Rams would cut the Dukes lead to 32-28 with 2:19 to play on a jumper by Tyrese Martin, before Duquesne would close the half on a 6-2 run to take a 38-30 lead into the locker room.

 

Next Up

URI returns to action on Saturday, January 25 when they visit St. Bonaventure.

Game time is 3 p.m.