Feb. 21, 2008
Photo Gallery | Box Score
KINGSTON, R.I. -- Will Daniels scored a team-high 25 points, leading four Rams in double-figures as Rhode Island (20-7, 6-6 A-10) dropped its third game in a row in a 98-91 loss to Massachusetts.
Daniels was 8-of-11 from the floor, including 2-of-4 from the outside. The senior forward was also 7-of-11 from the foul line, to go along with seven rebounds in 29 minutes of play.
Rhode Island led 9-4 early on before the Minutemen put on a 26-11 push to take a 10 point lead. UMass led 30-20 with 7:47 to play - before the Rams fired off a 21-9 run to close out the half, taking a 41-39 advantage at the break. Parfait Bitee scored six points and Keith Cothran five during the stretch.
In the second half, the two teams traded baskets for the first eight and a half minutes of play, before UMass connected on a three to make it 65-61 with 11:38 left in regulation. But a trey from Bitee sparked a 9-2 scoring push, as Rhody took a 70-67 lead with 9:25 to go.
A three from Delroy James made it 86-82 with 2:18 to play, but it was all UMass from there. The Minutemen pulled ahead 87-86 on a jumper with 1:33 remaining, en route to rattling off 10 unanswered points over the next 1:05 and knocked down all eight of their free throw attempts down the stretch to seal the victory.
Bitee added 13 points (4-9 FG) to go along with five assists, two rebounds and two steals. Kahiem Seawright and Jimmy Baron added 11 points apiece. Off the bench, Mbang and James combined for 18 points and 14 boards. Each had nine points, while James pulled down a season-high eight boards. Marquis Jones scored six points, while Cothran dished out four assists.
The game featured 17 lead changes and 12 ties. Rhode Island had 20 turnovers, which led to 29 UMass points, while UMass had 14. The Rams outshot the Minutemen from the floor, 55.4% (31-56) percent to 48.4% (31-64).
Rhode Island returns to action on Sunday, Feb. 24 when it hosts Saint Joseph's in a game televised on Cox Sports Television as part of CSTV's regional coverage. In addition to the local telecast on Cox, the game can also be seen on Comcast Sportsnet Philadelphia and Comcast Sportsnet Southeast. Game time is set for 4 p.m. at the Ryan Center.
