Nov. 20, 2008
Box Score
W. LONG BRANCH, N.J. -- Keith Cothran scored a career-high 18 points, leading four Rams in double figures as Rhode Island downed Monmouth, 85-62, in the opening game of the 2008 Hoop Group Philly Classic.
Cothran was 7-of-10 from the floor, knocking down 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. He also added two rebounds and two steals in 21 minutes.
URI (2-1) got off to a quick start, scoring the game's first eight points. The Hawks (0-3) trimmed the lead to three points (8-5), but the third of three Jimmy Baron 3-pointers extended the lead to 21-10, with 13:53. He ended the game with 15 points in 20 minutes of action.
"We got into our game plan early and executed it well," said head coach Jim Baron. "I was concerned about how we would be after the Duke game, but we played an all-around good team game. Sharing the basketball and playing solid defensively was the key tonight."
Rhody would continue its hot hand offensively, closing the half on a quick 6-0 push. The run was capped by a breakaway Cothran dunk, and Rhody took a 48-30 lead at the break - shooting a season-best 64.0% (16-25).
In the second half, the Rams turned it up on both ends of the floor. URI went on a 15-1 run over the first 6:45 of the period, taking a 63-31 lead with 13:15 to play. A Stevie Mejia trey with just under 10 minutes to play gave Rhody its largest-lead of the game - 37 points - at 73-36.
"We wanted to play hard and be aggressive early," Cothran said. "We focused on defense in the practices leading up to tonight's game."
Kahiem Seawright ended with 13 points and seven rebounds, while Delroy James added 10 points, four boards and three assists. Marquis Jones did an outstanding job running the point, dishing out six assists to just one turnover in 23 minutes.
"My job is to help the team get better," Jones said. "Whether that means defensive pressure, distributing the basketball, scoring, whatever. We were able to get the win tonight."
Ben Eaves and Lamonte Ulmer each tallied seven points, as the Rhody bench totaled 29 points in the win.
Rhode Island returns home on Saturday, hosting VCU at the Thomas M. Ryan Center at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on Cox Sports Television, as Don Coyne and Christina Batastini will call all the action.
Fans can also follow the game live through Rhody All-Access' videostream, as well as on the Rams Radio Network (WHJJ 920 AM, WJZS 99.3 FM). Steve McDonald and Don Kaull will call all the action.
