Nov. 28, 2007
Final Stats
KINGSTON, R.I. -- Head coach Jim Baron won his 300th career game as Rhode Island downed Northeastern, 92-72, at the Ryan Center tonight.
The win, which improved URI's record to 7-1, marked a milestone for Baron, who in previous stops, won 74 games at Saint Francis (Pa.), 132 games at St. Bonaventure, and 94 games so far at the helm of the Rams.
"The wins are really for the players and the teams - it's been a total team effort," said Baron. "From places like Loreto, to Olean, and now to Kingston, this is special and I'm glad to share it with my family."
Rhode Island had to use a strong second half push to blow the game wide open. Tied at 59-59 with 11:57 to play, the Rams closed the game on a 33-13 run.
"It all came off of our defense," said Parfait Bitee, who ended the game with 17 points, on 6-of-9 shooting from the floor and 5-of-6 from the perimeter. "We had a good run and our press made a big difference."
Head coach Jim Baron agreed: "Once they opened up the floor, we just stayed aggressive and took it to the basket. I don't know how many dunks we got, but that's what we have to do when given the opportunity. We kept getting it up the floor and I think it wore them down."
Both teams traded baskets throughout much of the first half, with Northeastern taking a two-point lead - at 16-14, with 12:32 left in the period. But Rhode Island go on an 11-2 run, capped by one of five Jimmy Baron three-pointers, to take a 25-18 lead at the 8:09 mark. The Rams would lead by as many as nine points and took a 45-36 lead into the break.
In the second half, the Huskies would mount their run which would eventually tie the ballgame at 59-59. NU's Matt Janning scored nine of his game-high 34 points during the stretch.
Bitee and Baron would lead four Rams in double figures, with 17 points apiece, while Joe Mbang added 16 and Keith Cothran 15.
"Our bench gave us a tremendous lift tonight. I thought Joe Mbang played his best game for us," said Coach Baron. "We never gave up on Joe - I challenged him this week and we need his physical play every night."
Struggling from the outside so far this season - just 1-of-18 from beyond the arc - Mbang was 7-for-7 tonight from two-point land.
"It has been tough, not shooting the ball well, but I can go inside and use my body, rebound, and score," Mbang said.
Cothran also added four assists (no turnovers) and three steals. Marquis Jones and Will Daniels each chipped in with eight points.
For the game, URI shot 51.6% from the floor (33-64), including 12-of-24 from beyond the arc. They dished out 19 assists to just 12 turnovers.
Rhody returns to action on Saturday, when it hosts New Hampshire at the Ryan Center in a 1 p.m. tilt. It is part of a doubleheader with the women's basketball team, who will take on Providence following the game at approximately 3 p.m.
To purchase tickets, click here or stop by the Ryan Center box office.
