Jan. 26, 2010
Box Score
DAYTON, Ohio -- Marquis Jones' 3-pointer with 4.3 seconds to play lifted Rhode Island to a 65-64 victory at Dayton on Tuesday night.
For the second straight year, Jones' shot proved to be the gamewinner for the Rams (16-3; 4-2 A-10). Last season, the Rhody point guard hit a buzzer-beater layup at the Ryan Center in overtime, to take a 93-91 victory on Feb. 26, 2009.
Delroy James led all scorers with 22 points, connecting on 6-of-8 from the perimeter. Keith Cothran added 17 points - all in the second half, helping Rhody outscored Dayton 41-31 in the second 20:00 of action.
Rhode Island struggled offensively in the first half. James connected on all three of his shots from the outside, but a tough Dayton defense held the Rams to just 37.5% (9-24) from the field. Rhody also committed an uncharacteristic 10 turnovers in the first 20:00 of action, and trailed 33-24 at the break.
In the second half, the Flyers opened up their biggest lead - 11 points - after a fast break dunk made it 37-26 with 18:26 to play in regulation.
But the Runnin' Rams were able to play their transition game, opening up a 19-7 run over the next 4:44. Back-to-back treys from James and another by Cothran helped key the run - which was capped by a traditional three-point play by Cothran. Rhody took its first lead of the ballgame - 45-44 - with 13:42 to play in regulation.
URI opened its largest lead of the contest after a pinpoint pass from Stevie Mejia found Orion Outerbridge on the right block, who slammed it home to make it 54-49 with 7:49 to go.
But Dayton would answer with a 10-0 run over the next 3:48, going up 59-54 with 4:01 to play, setting up another wild finish between the two teams. Will Martell hit a layup with :30 seconds to go to put Rhody up 62-61. But on the ensuing possession, Dayton's Chris Johnson was fouled while attempting a 3-pointer.
He knocked down all three FT attempts, giving Dayton - who had won its previous 30 home games - a 64-62 advantage with :15 seconds remaining.
Cothran added a team-high seven rebounds, while Martell registered three blocked shots. Lamonte Ulmer also had six points and five boards in the victory.
Rhode Island returns home on Saturday, Jan. 30 when it hosts George Washington at 1 p.m. at the Thomas M. Ryan Center.
