Feb. 24, 2007

Box Score

KINGSTON, R.I. -- Will Daniels scored a game-high 24 points but it wasn't enough, as Rhode Island dropped a 71-62 decision to Fordham in the final regular season home game of the 2006-07 campaign.

Daniels was 8-for-17 from the floor, 7-of-10 from the charity stripe, while also pulling down five rebounds in 34 minutes of play for the Rams (17-12, 10-5 A-10).

Fordham (15-11, 8-6 A-10) jumped out early, going up 12-2 just under four minutes into the ballgame. But Rhody would respond, going on a 14-4 run over the next four minutes, capped by a traditional three-point play by Daniels.

After Fordham responded with a 7-2 push, making it 23-16, URI converted a 15-7 push of its own, taking its first lead of the game on a Lamonte Ulmer jumper with 1:22 left in the period. Rhody would lead, 31-30 at the break.

In the second half, Fordham opened with a 14-3 run, going up 44-34 with 16:05 to play in regulation. Rhody would cut it to seven on several occasions, but couldn't get any closer down the stretch. Fordham shot 56.0% in the second half (14-25).

"To win down the stretch, you need everything to come together." said head coach Jim Baron. "Will was very aggressive today, as was Lamonte Ulmer, but we need more."

Ulmer scored nine points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Rams off the bench, while Keith Cothran had six points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Parfait Bitee added eight points.

URI played without Kahiem Seawright, who missed the game due to a personal family matter.

"We were missing a big part of our team today in Kahiem, and our thoughts and prayers are with him." said Daniels. "But overall, we didn't play good defense today. We didn't push the ball. We played like we did in the beginning of the season."

For the game, Rhode Island was just 19-for-49 from the field, good for 38.8%. The Rams were 5-of-19 from beyond the arc (26.3%) and 19-of-27 from the charity stripe (70.4%). They were outrebounded, 34-31.

Rhody has a week off before traveling to Richmond on March 3 to close out regular season play.

"We control our own destiny from here on out. We have a much-needed week to rest and prepare for a tough game at Richmond." Baron stated. "We need to get back on track."

Notes: The loss marked the first time that URI has lost consecutive games in Atlantic 10 play...Jimmy Baron was held without a field goal for the first time all season. He was 0-for-6 from the floor, including 0-for-4 from beyond the arc. The last time the sophomore guard did not register a made field goal was against Quinnipiac on Dec. 22, 2005...Will Daniels is now 13 points short of the 1,000 point mark...Six of Lamonte Ulmer's nine rebounds came on the offensive end...Head coach Jim Baron was whistled for a technical foul early in the first half - it marked the first time all season and the first time since Feb. 12, 2006 that he got a "T." That game was also against Fordham...URI is now 13-5 when leading at the half...The Rams are now nine for their last 36 from the perimeter, over their last two games.