Nov. 8, 2006
Box Score
KINGSTON, R.I. -- Rhode Island finished up its 2006-07 preseason exhibition slate tonight with a 61-57 win over Concordia University.
Jimmy Baron led the Rams with 17 points, on 6-of-13 shooting from the floor - including 3-of-10 from the perimeter. he also had four rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes of action. Kahiem Seawright added 10 points off the bench in reserve play.
The Rhody offense was hitting on all cylinders in the first half. The Rams took an 18-11 lead with 10 minutes to play in the half, on a thunderous dunk by Joe Mbang, which got the 3,015 at the Ryan Center excited.
"It's always something when you play and have the fans behind you." Mbang said. "It's good luck to have that out there, if you make a great play or even if you make a mistake. The fans can pick you up."
Head coach Jim Baron was pleased with the play of the native of Yaounde, Cameroon.
"Joe is an explosive, big, strong player." he explained. "We need him to continue to be aggressive when he gets on the floor. I especially want to see him get involved on the offensive glass and run the floor."
A three-pointer by Mbang with 6:40 left gave URI a 13-point advantage (28-15). Rhody took a 15-point lead into the locker room at the break, 39-24, capped by a Jon Lucky layup at the buzzer.
With the 39 points in the first half tonight, as well as the 42 against Merrimack, it's evident that this year's squad will again be the "Runnin' Rams."
"I like this style." said Lucky, who finished with nine points, five rebounds, and five assists in 25 minutes of action. "When you push the ball, you create more opportunities to score. But it is give and take, and we need to get back after it tomorrow and focus on our defense."
After a Parfait Bitee layup gave Rhode Island its the biggest lead of the game - 50-25, 16:52 left - Concordia made the most of some Rhody offensive struggles in the second half, outscoring the home squad, 22-11 the rest of the way. But Baron yielded the floor to his corps of newcomers, allowing them the chance to gain valuable experience on the court.
"With this stretch, six games in 12 days, we wanted to create an opportunity to rest some of our starters and also give some of our younger guys a chance off the bench." Baron said. "I thought it was good for us. They (Concordia) are a veteran team. At one point for us (sophomore) Kahiem Seawright was our veteran presence on the court."
The Stingers made it a three-point game with under a minute to play, but Seawright hit one of two free throws down the stretch to seal the victory for the Rams, who open regular season play on Friday night at the Ryan Center against Stonehill. Gametime is set for 7:30 p.m.
"With so many newcomers on our roster this year, it's going to take a while to get some consistency, and create some chemistry." Baron explained. "Tonight was another chance to do just that and establish some roles and some flow."
Jon Lucky agrees: "We're young and we have big dreams and goals. We don't take any practice or game lightly. We can't afford to."
Notes: Senior Darrell Harris played eight minutes in the first half, before leaving the game with what was described as a stomach flu. He did not return for the second half...For the second time in as many games, the Rams won the battle of the boards, outrebounding Concordia 44-37 - including 14-8 on the offensive glass...In his first extended action, freshman Terrence Grier notched four assists and three steals, to just one turnover, in 23 minutes of action...Mbang missed what could have been a spectacular a two-handed tip-in dunk in the second half...
