Feb. 5, 2009

Box Score

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Jimmy Baron scored all 19 of his points in the second half, including the clinching bucket with 25 seconds left, as Rhode Island pulled away late for a 71-64 victory at Charlotte.

Baron was 6-for-10 from the floor, including 2-of-5 from the perimeter, while knocking down all five of his free throw attempts. Eight of his 19 points came in the last six minutes of play. With Rhode Island clinging to a 66-64 lead, Baron worked off a screen, caught a pass in the lane and hit a leaner to seal the win.

Rhody (16-7, 5-3 A-10) began the game cold - missing nine of its first 11 shots from the floor through the first 7:06 of play. After a Delroy James jumper cut it to one - 13-12 with 9:21 left in the period - the 49ers went on an 18-9 push over the next 5:40, making it 31-21.

The 49ers led by as many as 11 (37-26), but URI closed out the final 2:46 of play on an 8-0 run, with four points apiece from James and Kahiem Seawright. Rhody trailed, 37-34 at the break.

In the second half, the Rams chipped away and took their first lead of the game (45-43), as Marquis Jones found Will Martell for a layup with 16:18 left in regulation. After the 49ers tied it up, Baron knocked down 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions, making it 51-45 with 13:34 to go.

But Charlotte would respond with two deep ones on its next two times down the court, yielding the game's fourth tie at 51-51. Lamonte Ulmer would score four of the next seven points in the ballgame, helping the Rams to a 58-51 advantage with 8:48 to go.

A steal and breakaway layup by Baron made it 64-62 with 2:26 to go. Charlotte would tie it one last time, at 64-64, with 2:02 to go, but the Rams defense and free throw shooting helped seal the victory. Rhody made three defensive stops down the stretch, while also forcing a turnover. Jones connected on 3-of-4 from the line in the final minute.

Seawright finished one rebound short of a double-double, with 14 points and nine boards, while James added 10 points and six rebounds off the bench. Ulmer and Martell each had eight points.

The Rams have won four straight games and return to action on Sunday, Feb. 8 when they face Temple at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia. Game time is set for 2 p.m. and, as always, Steve McDonald and Don Kaull will call all the action live on the Rams Radio Network (WHJJ 920 AM; WJZS 99.3 FM), beginning with the Cox Communications pre-game show at 1:30 p.m.