Feb. 11, 2007
Box Score
PITTSBURGH -- Five players scored in double figures, as Rhode Island posted its highest point total in a single-game since the 1996-97 season, downing Duquesne, 111-87.
Will Daniels led all scorers with 25 points, shooting 10-of-15 from the field, while also grabbing 10 rebounds and blocking two shots in 28 minutes of action. Kahiem Seawright also registered a double-double - his fourth of the season - with 15 points and 10 boards.
The Rams (15-10, 8-3 A-10) connected on three of its first four shots from the floor, opening up a 7-2 edge early on in the contest against the Dukes, which has been averaging close to 100 points per game since switching to a pressing/running style six games prior to today's contest.
Duquesne rallied with seven unanswered points, taking a 9-7 lead with 16:48 left. Over the next eight minutes of action in the first half, both teams traded baskets, as there were six lead changes and six ties along the way.
A three-pointer by Joe Mbang with 7:57 gave Rhody a 27-26 advantage and it would not trail the rest of the way. URI went on a 12-2 run over the next 2:15, thanks to three treys by Mbang and two layups from Keith Cothran, and led 39-28 with 5:42 left in the frame. In total, the Rams outscored the Dukes, 33-14 down the stretch, taking a 57-40 lead at the break.
Rhode Island shot 56.4% (22-39) from the floor in the first half, including 7-of-13 from beyond the arc. Mbang led the way with 19 points, including five trifectas, while Daniels tallied 11.
After Duquesne started the second half with a three, Rhody's offense again kicked into high gear, going on a 12-5 push over the next 2:40, as a trey from Parfait Bitee gave URI a 21-point lead - 69-48 - with 17:16 left in regulation.
"We like to run the floor, push the pace, and with this kind of game, we had a lot of good looks." Mbang said. "Keith and Jimmy both found me open a few times, and I was able to knock down the shots. Overall, everything worked today and that's important with the added pressure of playing on the road."
Daniels' layup with 6:20 left put the Rams into triple figures on the scoreboard for the first time this season (100-72). A Jimmy Baron three with 4:37 to play gave Rhody its biggest lead of the afternoon - 33 points at 107-74.
"We knew what their style of play would be like coming into this afternoon." said Baron, who ended the game with 18 points, including four three-pointers, while also dishing out a career-best seven assists. "We had problems scoring the last two games, so as a team, we made an effort to run and share the ball well. Fortunately, we also shot the ball well."
Mbang connected on 6-of-9 from beyond the arc, en route to scoring 22 points and grabbing seven boards. Jonathan Cruz had a collegiate-best 11 points, while also grabbing four rebounds. Lamonte Ulmer had nine points, while Keith Cothran recorded eight points and six boards. Parfait Bitee dished out six assists.
"Joe and Kahiem both stepped up their play this afternoon." head coach Jim Baron said. "With Kahiem doing a good job inside, playing smart, it opened up the outside for Joe and Jimmy to shoot from the perimeter. Then with Will doing a good job of taking it inside and Parfait just playing a very focused and controlled game at the point, it all came together. Then with the play off the bench, it really capped off a total team victory."
For the game, Rhode Island shot a season-best 60.5% from the floor (46-76), while also connecting on 12-of-24 attempts from beyond the arc. The Rams outrebounded the Dukes, 49-43, while dishing out a season-best 30 assists.
"I wanted our kids to move on from the previous game, so we made it a team goal to play aggressive and share the basketball. To have 30 assists and shoot 60 percent, especially on the road, is terrific." the head coach said.
The win, coupled with a UMass loss at Temple, puts Rhody back atop the Atlantic 10 standings. The Rams are tied with Xavier at 8-3 in league play.
Rhody returns to action on Wednesday, Feb. 14 when it hosts Saint Louis at the Ryan Center. Game time is set for 7 p.m. and in honor of Valentine's Day, the first 1,000 ladies will receive a free red carnation, courtesy of the University of Rhode Island athletics department.
Notes: The 111 points for URI was the most in a single game since tallying 115 points in a win over Fairleigh Dickinson on Nov. 30, 1996...With Will Daniels (25 pts./10 rebs.) and Kahiem Seawright (15 pts./10 rebs.) each tallying double-doubles, it marked the first time that had happened in a game since Feb. 20, 2002...It was also the first time Rhody shot better than 60% from the floor since connecting at a 61.7% clip versus Vermont on Dec. 30, 2003. It was also the eighth highest single-game FG% mark...Every URI player who played at least 10 minutes tallied at least one assist...Rhody's 30 assists was the third-highest single-game total in program history. The last time the Rams had 30 or more helpers was on Jan. 10, 1989 vs. U.S. International...Today's game was the second time that two Rhody players tallied 20 or more points in the same contest. Will Daniels had 25 and Joe Mbang 22 today vs. the Dukes. Earlier this season vs. Centenary, Jimmy Baron had 25 points while Mbang had 21...Rhody's 10 personal fouls was its lowest total of the season...50 of the 111 points came in the paint; 24 of the 111 came from beyond the arc...Rhody's 57 first half points were a season-high and also ranked as the 10th highest single-half total in program history...With his four treys, Jimmy Baron now has 75 three-point field goals on the season - the fifth-best single-season total.
