Nov. 16, 2007
Box Score
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Jimmy Baron helped key a 10-4 run midway through the second half, as Rhode Island pulled away from USF, 74-67, in the second game of the Glenn Wilkes Classic this afternoon. The junior guard scored eight points - including two threes - during the stretch.
Baron and Will Daniels each scored a game-high 17 points, to help Rhody (3-0) outscore the Bulls, 47-33, in the second frame. Baron was 7-of-14 from the floor, while also grabbed three rebounds. Daniels - plagued with foul trouble for much of the game - scored eight of URI's final 13 points to seal the victory.
The Rams struggled offensively in the first half, connecting on just 10-of-31 from the floor (32.3%). But it was the play on the glass of Kahiem Seawright which helped keep Rhode Island in the game. The junior forward had 10 boards at the break, battling USF's Kantrell Gransberry - the nation's top returning rebounder - inside the paint. The Bulls, who led by as many as nine in the opening frame, took a 34-27 lead into the halftime break.
In the second half, Rhody slowly whittled away at the USF lead, despite losing both Daniels and Joe Mbang to the bench with their fourth fouls. But Jason Francis and Keith Cothran helped to pick up where they left off. The 6-8 Francis provided the solid defense inside, while Cothran took his game outside - nailing a three-pointer in the deep corner with 3:10 left in reuglation, giving Rhody a 66-58 advantage. Parfait Bitee added a trey of his own, which gave the Rams their largest lead of the afternoon - 12 points - at 72-60 with just over a minute to play.
For the game, Seawright ended up with 14 rebounds - five on the offensive glass - to go along with eight points and two assists. Bitee added 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting, as well as eight assists (one turnover) in 33 minutes.
The Rams shot 44.6% from the floor (29-65) and 36.4% (8-22) from the perimeter, while outrebounding USF, 43-39 (21-13 in the second half). Rhody shot just 13 free throws, compared to 28 for the Bulls.
Rhode Island will take on Stetson tomorrow night at 8:15 p.m. at the Ocean Center, followed by the fourth and final game of the tournament on Sunday against UAB at 2:15 p.m.
The game can be heard live on radio, on WHJJ 920 AM and The Bridge 99.3 FM, with Steve McDonald and Don Kaull calling all the action. Additionally, the game can be heard live on the internet, via Yahoo! Sports. Log onto GoRhody.com and follow the audio/video links.
