Dec. 2, 2006

Box Score

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Will Daniels scored 23 points and Kahiem Seawright added 19 as Rhode Island dropped a 95-66 decision at Providence this afternoon.

Daniels, who tallied 20 of his 23 in the first half, was 7-for-10 from the floor, including 4-of-5 from the perimeter. Seawright, who was plagued with foul trouble in the first half, tallied 17 of his 19 in the second frame.

Both teams began the game shooting hot from the floor, as Will Daniels and Joe Mbang connected on the first three Rhody shots from beyond the arc. Mbang's trey tied the game at 11 at the 15:38 mark.

But PC would go on a 7-0 run over the next four minutes, capped by a traditional three-point play by the Friars' Weyinmi Efejuku, making it 18-11 with 11:40 to go in the half.

A Darrell Harris baseline jumper at 11:13 ended the PC run and began one for URI. After a deep three-pointer from Jimmy Baron and, two free throws by Daniels capped off the 7-0 Rhody run, tying the game at 18-18 with 9:39 left.

Providence would respond with a 13-3 run, capped by a Geoff McDermott three, giving them a 10-point edge (31-21) with just under four minutes to play. They would close the half on 26-17 push, to take a 44-33 lead into the break.

Daniels was a highlight for URI in the first 20:00, scoring 20 points. The junior connected on 6-of-7 from the floor, including all four attempts from beyond the arc.

Providence began the second half on a 11-4 run, before Baron called a :30 second timeout with 16:33 to play and the Rams down 55-39. The Friars extended their lead to 22, at 66-44, with just over 12:00 to go. PC would lead by as many as 29 - the final deficit - after Sharaud Curry added a meaningless late bucket with :21 seconds remaining in the game.

"Providence is a good basketball team. They did a nice job tonight of reversing the ball, rebounding, and getting those important second-chances." head coach Jim Baron said. "They dominated the glass tonight. I am both surprised and disappointed with our efforts on the rebounding and defensive ends."

Rhody was soundly beaten on the glass, 47-21, including a 23-7 mark on the offensive glass. It marked the first time in eight games this season that an opponent won the battle of the boards versus the Rams.

"We didn't scrap enough." junior forward Will Daniels said. Teammate Kahiem Seawright agreed.

"They made their own opportunities, got loose balls, won taps, and their key guys stepped up when they needed them." Seawright commented. "Myself and Will, as leaders of this team, take it personally and we'll take that with us to practice tomorrow."

The Rams return to action on Tuesday, when they host Brown at the Ryan Center at 7 p.m.

For this game, Global Spectrum, Boston Culinary Group, and URI Athletics are teaming up to help South County families in need with a food drive to assist the Jonnycake Center in Peace Dale. Fans are invited to bring non-perishable food items at the entrances to The Ryan Center, which will then be donated directly to the Jonnycake Center to help provide South County families in need with food for the holidays.