Dec. 27, 2006
Box Score
ATHENS, Ohio - Darrell Harris and Jimmy Baron each scored 15 points as Rhode Island dropped a 97-69 decision at Ohio. Harris was 6-for-11 from the floor and also grabbed six rebounds in 25 minutes of action.
Ohio raced out to a 13-2 lead in the first 3:11 and never looked back. The Bobcats led by as many as 19 points, while shooting 60% from the floor in the first half. Baron led Rhody with 10 points at the break, but the Rams connected on just 12-of-31 from the floor (38.7%).
"We started off slow and they capitalized on it." head coach Jim Baron said. "As they kept hitting big shots, big threes, we responded with turnovers and not doing a good job on the glass."
In the second half, the two teams traded baskets early on before Ohio opened up as much as a 37-point lead (83-46) with 9:54 to play. Harris, who twisted his ankle in the first half, came back strong in the second half, tallying 13 of his 15 points.
"It's a three-hour drive from my hometown of Cleveland to Ohio University, so my Mom, little sister, and my junior college coach were able to come to the game tonight." Harris said. "I got hurt in the first half, but I just tried my hardest out there tonight."
For the game, URI shot 40.6% from the floor (28-69) and just 29.4% from the perimeter (5-17). The Rams were just 8-of-16 from the charity stripe. They were outrebounded 45-28 and committed 15 turnovers.
Several of the Rhody newcomers saw significant playing time in the contest. Keith Cothran also registered career-bests, with 12 points. He was 6-of-11 from the floor, while also tying a URI single-game record with seven steals. Lamonte Ulmer blocked three shots in 18 minutes, while Jonathan Cruz tallied five points and three offensive rebounds in eight minutes of action. Junior Jamael Lynch recorded his first points in a Rhode Island uniform.
"Our freshmen played well, but as a whole, we need to get better. We need to play better on the road." Baron said. "We play against tough teams like Ohio and Kansas coming up, so that we can gauge where we are and what we need to do to prepare for the Atlantic 10 season."
"But we need our older guys to step up. We need Will Daniels and Parfait Bitee to take an active role on the court. Darrell Harris is our lone senior and I thought he played a tough game tonight." Baron added. "He played in front of his family and friends here in Ohio and some of our guys should look at his effort and learn something from it."
The Rams return to action on Dec. 30 at #9/10 Kansas. The game is set to tip at 8 p.m. ET and will be aired locally on Cox Sports Television, as well as on the ESPN FullCourt package nationwide. This and every Rams game will be broadcast live on WHJJ 920 am and 99.3 The Bridge FM. The audio feed will also be live on the internet via Yahoo! Sports. Steve McDonald and URI Hall of Famer Don Kaull will call all the action for Rhode Island.
Notes: The seven steals by Keith Cothran tied him for the URI single-game record, along with five others - most recently, Dawan Robinson vs. Pittsburgh on Dec. 21, 2002...The 97 points for Ohio were the most given up in regulation by the Rams this season. Houston scored 101 points in overtime on Nov. 13. ...Jimmy Baron went to the free throw line twice, and improved his FT stat line to a perfect 28-for-28. He is two makes under the minimum to qualify for the national lead in the category...Through 12 games this season, Baron has connected on 40 three-pointers. The single-season record for 3FG makes is 91, by Tyson Wheeler during the 1997-98 campaign...Rhody dished out a season-low six assists...Ohio made (23) more FT than Rhode Island attempted (16)...THe #9/10 ranked Kansas Jayhawks will be the highest-ranked team that the Rams have faced since taking on top-ranked Saint Joseph's on Feb. 28, 2004 at the Ryan Center.
