Jan. 10, 2010

SWISS BEATS: Rams Look to Bounce Back From Temple Loss

Box Score

KINGSTON, R.I. - Junior forward Delroy James scored a career-high 23 points but it was not enough as the Rhode Island men's basketball team dropped a 68-64 overtime decision to No. 21/25 Temple on Sunday afternoon at the Ryan Center.

Rhody's loss snapped its eight-game winning streak and handed the Rams their first loss at home this season.

Senior guard Keith Cothran chipped in offensively with 18 points to collect his 1,000th career point. Cothran also pulled down six rebounds. Senior forward Lamonte Ulmer, meanwhile, led the Rams with nine rebounds in a team-high 43 minutes.

Temple (13-3, 2-0 Atlantic 10) jumped out to a 9-7 lead in the opening four minutes of the game, but Rhody fought back to tie it at nine apiece with 15:41 in the first half. Sunday's game featured 14 ties and 10 lead changes.

The Rams (12-2, 0-1 Atlantic 10) closed out the opening half with a 9-2 run over the final four minutes to take a 35-30 lead into the locker room. James had 13 points in the first half, connecting on 5-of-9 shots from the floor.

In the second half, Temple opened up an eight-point advantage, leading 50-42 with 8:24 remaining in the game. Rhody charged back with an amazing 14-6 run to send the game into overtime. James scored eight points during the final stretch of regulation.

In the overtime period, Cothran scored all eight of the Rams' points, connecting on 3-of-5 attempts from the floor.

Temple guard Juan Fernandez scored four points in overtime, including an off-balance 3-pointer from the left side, which gave the Owls a four-point lead with 28 seconds to go. Fernandez finished the game with a team-high eight points.

URI returns to action on Wednesday as it welcomes Saint Joseph's to the Ryan Center for a 7 p.m. tipoff. The game can be heard live on the Beltone New England Rams Radio Network, with Steve McDonald and Don Kaull, beginning with the Cox pre-game show at 6:30 p.m.