Jan. 3, 2009
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Post-game press conference - Cothran | Post-game press conference - James
KINGSTON, R.I. - Juniors Keith Cothran and Delroy James each scored 16 points as the Rhode Island men's basketball team shot past the University of Akron 79-50 Saturday afternoon at the Ryan Center.
URI's win over the Akron moved the Rams to 6-0 at home this season. The game also marked the 100th contest at the Ryan Center. In those games, URI holds a 66-34 record.
Rhody outshot the Akron 55.8-35.0 from the field. URI also outrebounded UA 40-28.
"To be a good team you have to be unselfish," said Rhode Island head coach Jim Baron. "I thought our guys did a great job sharing the ball today. You have to be consistent and we are working on that one game at a time."
Senior guard Jimmy Baron also reached double figures as he scored 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc.
Baron has scored in double-figures in 16 straight games dating back to last season.
Akron opened the second half with a 7-0 run to close within six points at 38-32, but the Zips would not get any closer as the Rams responded with 13-0 run over the next four and a half minutes.
James scored six points during the Rams' second half run. He also had two steals during that stretch. James finished the game with a season-high three steals and five assists.
"We just have to look ahead and learn from our mistakes as we head into Atlantic 10 play," James said.
Rhody led by as many as 29 points and held Akron to just three points in the final six minutes of the game.
"Everyone wants to come in aggressively and do what they have to do to help the team," Cothran said.
AU jumped out to an 5-0 lead to start the game. The Rams would then respond with a 15-2 run over run over the next four minutes to take a 15-7 lead with 13:02 to go in the first half.
URI would not trail for the remainder of the first half as it took a 36-25 lead into the locker room. Rhody led by as many as 13 points in the first 20 minutes.
James led all first half scorers with 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting. The URI junior also pulled down four rebounds.
In the first half, URI outrebounded UA 19-15 and outshot the Zips 51.9-34.5. The Rams also held a 24-6 points in the paint advantage.
Rhode Island returns to action on Tuesday to play Toledo on the road. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
