Nov. 1, 2006
Box Score
KINGSTON, R.I. -- Jimmy Baron scored 19 points and Will Daniels added 16 as the University of Rhode Island picked up an 81-62 win over Merrimack in exhibition play tonight at the Ryan Center.
Baron was 8-for-16 from the floor, including 3-of-8 from the perimeter. He also grabbed a team-high nine rebounds and dished out five assists. Daniels was 6-for-13 from the field, while also pulling down six rebounds.
Head coach Jim Baron was pleased with the effort he got from his team, but was also quick to point out that the Rams' new uptempo style is a work in progress.
"We want to try to play uptempo, but to do that we have to be better conditioned." Baron explained. "To play at the pace we hope for, you need to play smart and play tough defense."
Daniels agreed with his coach.
"I knew this summer that we were going to change our style a bit, so I made sure to prepare in the offseason." Daniels said. "You have to be strong and be in shape to be able to play like that everyday."
The Rams offense got off to a quick start, scoring the first seven points of the game, en route to taking a 15-3 lead early in the first half. A baseline dunk by Daniels, off a pass from Jon Lucky, gave URI its biggest lead of the first half - 17 points - at 27-10 with 10:31 to play. Lucky ended the contest with a team-high six assists.
"Jon Lucky did a great job tonight." Baron said. "He had six assists in 33 minutes of play. I thought his unselfish play was contagious, as the team had 18 assists. We'll need to continue to pass the ball well as a team."
Merrimack was able to cut the Ram lead to eight (32-24) with just over eight minutes to play and were able to hold that margin. Rhody took a 42-34 advantage into the locker room at the break.
Rhody got out to a 10-2 run to start the second half, capped by a nifty give-and-go from freshman Lamonte Ulmer to Parfait Bitee, to make it 52-36 with 16:26 left in regulation. URI was able to extend its lead to 20 points (62-42) after a Bitee three-pointer with 11:52 to go. The Rams extended their lead to as many as 26 points (80-54), with 1:48 to go.
Bitee ended with 12 points while Kahiem Seawright came off the bench to add 10 points and five boards.
Newcomers Joe Mbang (five points, eight rebounds) and Lamonte Ulmer (nine points, seven rebounds, four steals) also made an impact in their first appearance in a Rams uniform.
"We were led by our veterans, but I thought the young guys gave us a nice spark." Baron said. "Any game experience we can get them at this point is a plus, considering all the new faces we have this year."
URI outrebounded Merrimack, 56-29, including a 28-7 margin on the offensive glass. They also forced the Warriors into 25 turnovers. The Rams' defense held the Warriors to 41.8% shooting from the floor, including just 6-of-23 from the outside (26.1%)
"Our defense, forcing them into that many turnovers and winning the battle on the glass, is going to be an important part of our success this year." Baron stated.
Rhode Island plays its second and final preseason exhibition tuneup next week, on Wednesday, Nov. 8 when they host Concordia (Que.) at the Ryan Center. Tipoff time is set for 7 p.m.
Notes: Will Daniels received a technical foul in the first half for hanging on the rim after a slam dunk...Freshmen Keith Cothran, Delroy James, and Frank Monge did not play in tonight's contest, as they are awaiting clearance from the NCAA initial-eligibility clearinghouse...Jon Lucky had a 2:1 assist to turnover ratio, dishing out six helpers and committing just three turnovers...Six players had at least two steals, led by Lamonte Ulmer's four swipes.
