Feb. 21, 2009
Box Score
BRONX, N.Y. -- Seniors Jimmy Baron and Kahiem Seawright combined for 42 points as Rhode Island cruised past Fordham, 77-58, at Rose Hill Gym.
Baron tallied a season-high 29 points, connecting on 10-of-12 from the floor, including 6-of-8 from beyond the arc. He moved into second place all-time on the Atlantic 10 3-pointers made list, with 332 career treys. Seawright was a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor, scoring 13 points to go along with six rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal.
With the win, Rhode Island improved to 20-8 overall and 9-4 in A-10 play. It is the second straight 20-win season for the Rams and the 18th time in program history that the team has won 20 games in a single-season.
The two teams began play even, with the game tied at 6-6 at the 14:50 mark. But Rhody would put the game away early, going on a 10-0 over the next 2:29 - capped by two trifectas from Baron which made it 16-6 with 12:21 left in the half.
URI would lead by as many as 18 points in the opening frame, at 41-23, after a turnaround jumper by Seawright with 1:22 left in the period. Rhody would lead, 43-27 at the break.
In the second half, Rhode Island connected from long-range on three of its first six possessions - one from Stevie Mejia and two from Baron. The senior guard's sixth 3-ball of the game gave URI a 58-34 lead with 13:38 left in regulation. Rhody would lead by as many as 28 points - after a Jason Francis dunk with 8:24 to go put the Rams up 70-42.
Delroy James added 11 points and nine rebounds off the bench, while Mejia added seven points, four rebounds, and four assists (zero turnovers) in 26 minutes of play before fouling out.
As a team, URI shot 50.0% (27-54) from the floor and 52.9% (9-17) from beyond the arc. One of the lone areas that Rhody struggled with was free throw shooting, connecting on just 14-of-25 from the charity stripe. The Rams dished out 15 assists on their 27 field goals.
Rhody returns to action on Wednesday, Feb. 25 when it hosts nationally-ranked Dayton in the third annual Pink Out Game.
The Pink Out, held in conjunction with the URI/Dayton men's basketball game, is used to generate breast cancer awareness while raising money for the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation. Over the last two years, the annual event has raised nearly $20,000 for the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation. The Rams encourage you to show your support in making this year's event even more successful!
Fans should wear pink clothing to the game to help "pink out" the Ryan Center. Additionally, URI students will be selling a limited number of official Pink Out t-shirts ($5 each) throughout the two weeks leading up to the game. Shirts will also be available at the game - while supplies last - with 100% of the profits going to the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation.
The game will be televised live locally on Cox Sports Television (ch. 3), with Don Coyne and Abu Bakr calling the action live. The Rams Radio Network (WHJJ 920 AM; WJZS 99.3 FM) will also broadcast the game. Steve McDonald and Don Kaull will bring you the Cox Communications pre-game show live, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
