March 19, 2009

Box Score

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Seniors Jimmy Baron and Kahiem Seawright combined for 41 points as Rhode Island dropped an 83-72 decision at Penn State in the second round of the 2009 National Invitation Tournament.

Baron had a game-high 24 points, connecting on 8-of-16 from the floor - including 6-of-12 from the perimeter. He also added two assists and a blocked shot in 34 minutes of action.

Seawright had 17 points, four rebounds and three assists in 31 minutes of action.

The Rams (23-11) never led in the contest, as the Nittany Lions raced out to a 20-5 lead just 8:11 into the contest. Rhody missed its first four shots from the floor and made just two of its first 12 field goal attempts.

But URI's defensive pressure keyed a 12-0 run over the next 3:30. Stevie Mejia and Baron knocked down treys on consecutive possessions before a putback by Lamonte Ulmer made it 20-17 with 8:37 to go in the period.

PSU would answer with a 10-2 run of its own, pushing the lead back to 11 points - at 30-19 with 6:06 left in the half. The Nittany Lions led 42-29 at the break,

In the second half, Rhode Island began with a 12-4 push, capped by a traditional three-point play by Seawright, making it 46-41 with 16:46 left in regulation, But the Lions would answer with eight straight points, en route to a 13-2 run which made it 59-43 with just over 12 minutes to go in the contest.

Rhody would get as close as six points, after Delroy James converted the free throw after getting fouled while hitting a layup on the left side. The Rams held Penn State without a field goal the final 8:53 of the ballgame. PSU's final 17 points all came from the charity stripe.

James had nine points, six rebounds, two blocks and two steals off the bench, while Lamonte Ulmer added eight points and eight boards. Marquis Jones dished out six assists.

The game marked the final appearance for Baron, Seawright and Jason Francis in a Rhode Island uniform.

Baron ends his career with 1,765 points - good for fifth all-time on the URI scoring list. His 361 3-pointers are both a school and Atlantic 10 record. Baron's 90.4% (246-272) career free throw percentage sits atop the Rhody record book. The 6-3 guard owns virtually every URI 3-point record.

Seawright finishes his Rhody run as one of the best all-around players in recent history. His 1,268 career points are good for 28th best on the URI scoring list. Seawright also ranks fifth on the Rams' career rebounding list (865) and sixth in blocked shots (110). He is one of just two URI players to register at least 1,200 points, 850 rebounds, 200 assists and 100 blocks.

Jason Francis finishes an injury-plagued two seasons, compiling 107 points, 85 rebounds, while connecting on 61.0% of his attempts from the floor. His eight point effort off the bench helped key the Rams' victory over Niagara in the first round of the 2009 NIT.

Rhode Island's 23 victories during the 2008-09 season ranks as the fourth-highest total in school history.