Nov. 20, 2010

Box Score

KINGSTON, R.I. -- Akeem Richmond led all scorers with 18 points as Rhode Island got past Toledo, 76-65, in the second game of 2010 2K Sports Classic Benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer subregional at Savage Arena.

Richmond connected on 7-of-13 shots, including four 3-pointers, while also notching three steals.

For the second consecutive night, Delroy James and Will Martell each registered double-doubles. James had 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Martell added 10 points and 10 boards.

Rhody got off to a hot start, racing out to a 9-0 lead in the first 2:41 of the contest. But the Rockets would play themselves back into the ballgame, converting a traditional three-point play with 9:28 left in the half and cutting the Rams lead to one point - 15-14.

The Runnin' Rams responded with 10 unanswered points over the next 2:03 - thanks to back-to-back 3-pointers from Ben Eaves and Nikola Malesevic - and closed out the half by outscoring Toledo, 26-11. URI led 41-25 at the break.

In the second half, the Rams took their largest lead of the game thanks to an 11-3 scoring push. A Martell putback with 17:01 left made it 52-28 and UT called for a time out.

After a Richmond trey made it 55-32 with 15:36 left, Toledo would mount a strong upset bid. The Rockets outscored Rhody, 27-11, and trailed by just seven points - 66-59 - with 1:50 remaining.

Rhode Island sealed the victory from the charity stripe, connecting on 8-of-10 over the last two minutes of the game.

Marquis Jones had eight points, five assists, and two steals in 36 minutes of play. Off the bench, Ben Eaves added eight points and five rebounds and Nikola Malesevic also had eight points on a perfect 3-for-3 shooting night (2-2 3FG).

Next up for URI is Illinois-Chicago in the third and final game of the Toledo subregional round. Tipoff is set for 12:30 p.m. and can be heard live on the Beltone Hearing Aid Centers Rams Radio Network, with Steve McDonald and Don Kaull. The pre-game show begins at Noon.