Jan. 25, 2009

Box Score

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Five Rhode Island players scored in double-figures, led by 18 points from Jimmy Baron and Lamonte Ulmer as the Rams held on for a 94-89 double-overtime victory at George Washington.

Ulmer was 6-of-12 from the floor and 6-8 from the line for his career high in scoring. He also added six rebounds, two assists, four steals and a blocked shot in 39 minutes of action.

URI (13-7, 2-3 A-10) knocked down 9-of-10 free throws in the extra periods, including its last seven attempts in the second overtime, to seal the victory. It snapped a three-game losing streak at GW and marked Rhody's first road conference win of the season.

George Washington had the hot hand offensively in the first half. The Colonials built as much as a 12-point advantage, leading 37-25 with 1:16 left in the half. But the Rams would score the last five points of the half, paced by a 3-pointer from Baron, and trailed 37-30 at the break.

In the second half, GW took a 45-36 lead with 16:56 to play in regulation,. But Rhode Island would start a 19-6 run over the next nine minutes, capped by a Delroy James jumper. The Rams took a 55-51 lead with 8:26 to go.

There were five lead changes and three ties down the stretch - including a bucket by Ulmer with 35.3 seconds to go which knotted the score at 68-68 and forced the first overtime

The Colonials built as much as a five-point advantage in the first OT, before the Rams took a 74-73 lead after a traditional three-point play by Kahiem Seawright and a deep 3-pointer by Baron. After GW connected with a trey on its next possession, URI again knotted the score - this time on a Seawright jumper with 1:25 left.

Both teams traded baskets to start the second overtime period. Rhody took an 86-83 lead with 1:52 to go, thanks to a James three-point play. But GW would force the game's 12th tie - at 86-86 - with a 3-pointer with 1:22. The Rams would not trail the rest of the way, after James nailed another jumper. He had 14 of his 16 points in the second half and OT.

Seawright registered the first double-double of the season by a Rhode Island player, with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Baron was 4-of-8 from beyond the arc, en route to his 18 points. Will Martell added 11 points, two blocks and three steals. The point guard tandem of Marquis Jones and Stevie Mejia combined for 14 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds.

For the game, Rhody shot 45.3% (34-75) from the floor - including 6-of-21 from the outside - and 20-of-30 from the foul line (66.7%). The Rams outrebounded the Colonials, 44-39.