Nov. 17, 2006

Box Score

FAIRBANKS, Alaska -- Rhode Island dropped an 84-78 decision to Troy in the opening round game of the 2006 BP Top of the World Classic at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks, Alaska.

The Rams (1-2) will now face host Alaska-Fairbanks at 9:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.

URI, paced by the shooting of Jimmy Baron, began the game hot. Baron connected on his first three attempts from the perimeter. Overall, he was 5-for-14 from the floor, including 5-of-7 from the perimeter.

But Rhody would struggle with turnovers for much of the first 20:00 of play, committing 15 mishaps. The Rams finished the game with 20 turnovers.

The hot-shooting Troy squad led by as many as 18 points and took at 50-36 advantage into the break at the half. TU shot 56% from the floor, including 53% from three-point land.

"You have to give them credit, they can shoot, and have juniors and seniors that are very capable." said head coach Jim Baron. "We got back in the game in the second half, but we dug ourselves into too big a hole. We need to do a better job defending."

The Rams came out of the locker room strong in the second half. URI went on a 17-3 run to start the period, capped by a Darrell Harris three-pointer, which tied the game at 53-53 with just over 15:00 to play in regulation. Helping to key the run was the play of Kahiem Seawright, who scored the bulk of his 17 points in the second frame.

"I thought we started to open up their zone by getting it inside to Kahiem." Baron said. "We got to the free throw line and got back into the game by attacking the basket. But we turned the ball over too many times and missed some open shots.

Seawright was 4-of-7 from the floor and 9-of-11 from the charity stripe. He pulled down nine rebounds, narrowly missing his third double-double in points & rebounding in as many games this season. Will Daniels added 16 and six boards, while Darrell Harris tied his career-high with 10 points to go along with four rebounds.

Jon Lucky dished out a career-best nine assists.