Nov. 11, 2005

Stats

Trailing 31-28 at the half, Rhode Island outscored Assumption 43-24 in the second half to post a 71-55 victory over the Greyhounds in an exhibition game at the Ryan Center.

Assumption built a 17-5 lead midway through the first half as the Rams made just one of their first 12 shots from the field. A basket by Corey Diethorn gave the Greyhounds their biggest lead of the game with 11:04 to go in the first half. But a pair of basketball by Jimmy Baron, who finished with 11 points in the first half, and a Terrence Mack basket closed the gap to 17-12 with 7:51 left in the half. A three-pointer by Darrell Harris in the closing seconds cut the deficit to 31-28 at halftime.

A basket by Harris and a lay-up by Kahiem Seawright gave Rhode Island a 32-31 lead with 19:07 remaining, Rhode Island's first lead since the opening minutes of the contest. With Assumption leading 36-34 with 17:42 to go, the Rams scored 11 of the game's next 13 points to take a 45-38 lead with 14:05 to go following a lay-up by Seawright.

Diethorn's lay-up with 9:58 left tied the game 48-48 with 9:59 to go. The Rams scored 11 straight points to take a 60-48 lead after Baron's basket with 4:32 left. Assumption was unable to cut the deficit to less than 10 points the rest of the way.

"It was a team effort," coach Jim Baron said. "We got down early but didn't get down on ourselves. We battled back and played tough, Rhode Island-style basketball."

Baron led all scorers with 16 points and also dished out a team-high six assists. Seawright and Will Daniels each scored 10 points for the Rams. Rhode Island outrebounded the Greyhounds 35-23 and were led by Terrence Mack and Jamaal Wise, who each grabbed six rebounds.

Rhode Island opens the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 19 when the Rams entertain Sacred Heart at 4:00 p.m. at the Ryan Center.