Dec. 10, 2009

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SWISS BEATS: Big Plays Down the Stretch Equal Victory over Northeastern

KINGSTON, R.I. - Senior Keith Cothran posted a team-high 19 points as Rhode Island downed Northeastern, 79-76, on Thursday night at the Ryan Center.

Freshman Akeem Richmond also scored in double figures for the Rams, finishing with 12 points - all of which came from beyond the arc. Sophomore Stevie Mejia, meanwhile, knocked down three treys on the night as the Rams sank a season-high 10 three-pointers.

Delroy James rounded out Rhody's double-digit scorers, finishing with 10 on the night - including a pair of clutch free throws in the game's final 30 seconds. As a team, the Rams shot 53.1% from the field and were 17-of 22 from the line while Northeastern connected on just 8-of-14 (57.1%) attempts from the charity stripe.

Rhody (7-1) jumped out to its largest lead of the first half after a pair of free throws by junior Delroy James put the Rams in front 16-10, five and a half minutes into the game. The Huskies then responded with a 12-1 run over the next 5:24 to take a 22-17 lead with just under nine minutes remaining. The two teams would knot the score four more times before a pair of layups by Will Martell and Cothran sent the Rams into the locker room with a 36-34 advantage.

For the half, Rhody held an 18-15 edge in rebounding and connected on five attempts from three-point range, matching a single-half high previously set vs. Holy Cross on Nov. 22.

The Rams came back from the break and put together their best single-half performance so far this season - sinking 13-of-21 attempts from the field (61.9%) - but did not lead by more than four points until a three-pointer by Richmond made it a 56-51 game with 8:52 left on the clock.

Northeastern (2-5) got to within three points on five more occasions and trailed by just one (77-67) after Joel Smith sank a pair of foul shots with 13 seconds left on the clock. Cothran was then fouled and hit both of his attempts from the line to put URI back on top by three with 11 seconds remaining.

Chaisson Allen - who was 6-of-9 from long range - took the game's final shot but was unable to even the score due to Rhody's defensive pressure.

Allen finished the night with 20 points while teammate Matt Janning led all scorers with 21.

Rhody returns to action on Sunday night when it travels to Chestnut Hill for a 6:45 p.m. meeting with Boston College.