Trap Game: Sloppy Rams Lose to Detroit 70-68, Losing Streak Now 3 Games
Sunday, December 08, 2013
This was not the performance the URI Rams wanted to head into a 2 week exam break with.
Days after their hard-fought loss to in-state rival Providence College, the Rams squandered a very winnable game on the road against Detroit on Sunday afternoon, falling 70-68 and bringing their losing streak to 3 games and their overall record to 6-5.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTJuwan Howard Jr. scored 17 points and grabbed 8 rebounds for the Titans, who improved to 5-5 on the year with the victory. Evan Bruinsma added 15 points, Jarod Williams had 10, and Matthew Grant chipped in 11 off the bench to put 4 Titans in double figures.
For Rhody, Xavier Munford led all scorers with 22 points (on 9-18 shooting) and Gilvydas Biruta had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Despite a size advantage, URI won the rebound battle just 38-36 on Sunday.
Detroit played well, but the Rams really didn’t do themselves any favors in Sunday’s loss. The team shot just 8-19 (42%) from the Free Throw line, and Rhody committed 14 turnovers compared to just 11 assists. The Rams were also called for several traveling violations, costing themselves valuable possessions.
After leading 32-27 at the half the Rams came out flat in half number 2. An 18-4 run by the Titans turned an 8 point Rams lead into a 6 point deficit early in the period, and Detroit led the rest of the way from that point on.
Biruta missed a Free Throw to tie the game at 69 with 8 seconds remaining, and Bruinsma made 1 of 2 Free Throws on the other end to make it a 2 point game with 4.2 seconds to go. Biggie Minnis drove the length of the floor and got a decent look on a runner from the right block area, but his buzzer-beater attempt hit the front rim and bounced to the floor, an agonizing finish to an even more stressful game for the Rams.
URI is now 0-3 in true road games this season, and 1-4 away from home overall. Rhody now has 2 weeks off for exams and resumes play Sunday December 22nd at home against New Hampshire.
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