March 8, 2007

Box Score |  Photo Gallery 1  |  Photo Gallery 2 

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- Jimmy Baron's driving scoop layup with 11 seconds to go helped propel Rhode Island (18-13) past Fordham and into the semifinals of the 2007 Atlantic 10 Tournament this afternoon at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.

The play was similar to another gamewinner - also off the hands of Baron - at home against Dayton on Jan. 7.

"On that last play, I went around a high screen at the top of the key." said the sophomore guard, who ended with seven points. "I was looking to pass it, but the lane opened up and I was able to drive in."

While the last play seemed easy, getting to that point was not.

After trading baskets for much of the first 8:30 of the game, Rhody went on a 21-7 run, to build up a 16-point lead. A free throw from Will Daniels - capped off a traditional three-point play - made it 36-20 with 3:30 to play. Daniels would tally 10 of his team-high 21 points during the stretch.

But Fordham would close the half on a 15-8 push, hitting four three-pointers down the stretch, to cut the URI lead to 44-35 at the break. Rhode Island shot 54.5% from the floor in the first frame (18-33).

In the second half, Fordham continued its long-range proficiency. After two free throws from Kahiem Seawright with 19:43 left in regulation put URI back up by double-digits (11 points, 46-35), the other Rams team went on a 26-9 run over the next 9:35, and took a six-point lead - at 61-55 - with just over 10 minutes to play. Fordham hit four more treys during the run, including shots that saw the first tie and lead change of the contest.

"We started off strong, they went on a run, and then we went on a run." Daniels stated. "This team came together and never quit in order to get the win."

But Rhody would respond, with some long-distance baskets of its own. Daniels' trey with 7:18 left cut the Rams' deficit to just three points - at 63-60 - before Parfait Bitee tied it at 63-all on Rhody's next possession.

Fordham took its last lead of the contest on two free throws with 1:25 left. On the ensuing possession, URI ran a perfect high-low, resulting in a dunk by Lamonte Ulmer, tying it at 69-69 with 1:10 to play. The Rams were able to get a key stop on the defensive end, with Daniels grabbing the rebound, and head coach Jim Baron called a timeout to set up the final, game-winning play. Keith Cothran sealed with victory with two makes from the charity stripe with 0.5 ticks left.

"We had a lot more intensity on the court, attacking the basket and the glass." head coach Jim Baron said. "I told our guys that the team who wins the battle of the boards would likely win the game." URI outrebounded Fordham, 35-24.

Along with his team-high 21 points, Will Daniels also tallied six rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots. Kahiem Seawright also had a full stat line, with 17 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. The sophomore power forward missed the regular season meeting between the two schools on Feb. 24.

"Last time when we played them, I missed the game due to a family tragedy." Seawright said. "When I found out that Fordham was the team we were going to play in the A-10 Tournament, I was excited to get back on the court with my teammates and play them a third time."

Lamonte Ulmer and Keith Cothran made solid contributions off the bench. Both freshmen tallied eight points apiece. Ulmer also added six rebounds. Parfait Bitee and Jimmy Baron each scored seven points. But Rhody's head coach was quick to point out the play of Bitee.

"Parfait Bitee, I think, is one of the top defensive guards in the Atlantic 10." Baron said. "He was one of the guys that I thought really had a good chance at the All-Defensive team." The junior guard held Fordham's Marcus Stout - an 2007 All-A-10 honoree - to just eight points on the afternoon.

"It added fuel to our fire." Seawright said of Bitee's slight with postseason honors from the conference. "I have a couple of teammates that really stepped up and showed what they can do today"

Rhode Island will play top-seeded and defending champion Xavier (24-7) in the semifinals on Friday night at Boardwalk Hall. The Musketeers defeated Dayton 72-51 earlier Thursday for their ninth straight win.

"They're a very talented team - physical, aggressive, good balance and chemistry." head coach Jim Baron said. "They really took it to us at their place, with (Justin) Doellman, (Drew) Lavender, and (Stanley) Burrell. We'll have to bring the same sort of intensity and spirit tomorrow."

Notes: Jimmy Baron's lone three-point field goal this afternoon tied him with Tyson Wheeler for the school's single-season record for three's. Baron now has 91 treys on the season. Wheeler set his mark in 1998...Rhody improved to 14-4 when dishing out 14 or more assists and 13-1 when shooting 50.0% or better from the floor. URI had 14 assists, while connecting on 50.9% of its shot attempts...The win over Fordham this afternoon snapped a three-game losing streak in the A-10 Tournament. Rhody's last win the conference championship came on March 10, 2004 when the Rams downed La Salle, 81-69...Of the nine players who saw action for Rhody today, eight scored at least two points and grabbed at least one rebound...The trip to the A-10 Tourney semifinals is the first for Rhode Island since the 1999 tournament, which the Rams won on a last-second shot from Lamar Odom...Rhody has a 12-game losing streak versus Xavier, dating back to the 1998 A-10 Tourney.