Nov. 8, 2010

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PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Delroy James scored 17 of his team-high 20 points in the second half as Rhode Island dropped an 83-75 decision at #5/4 Pittsburgh in the opening game of the 2010 2K Classic Benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer.

James was 6-of-15 from the floor, including 5-of-9 from the perimeter. He also added five rebounds, two assists and two blocked shots in 28 minutes of action.

Rhody built as much as an eight-point lead in the first half on the Panthers, thanks to the hot outside shooting of Akeem Richmond and Nikola Malesevic. The sophomore duo combined to connect on 6-of-11 from beyond the arc. The Runnin' Rams also made the most of its pressure defense, tallying 14 points on seven forced turnovers.

URI led 36-28 after a Will Martell jumper with 1:31 left in the first half. But Pittsburgh would score nine unanswered points to close out the half, capped by a dunk by Lamar Patterson at the buzzer. It was, 37-36, Pitt at the break.

In the second half, the Panthers connected on 6-of-8 to start the second half, but could not put away the Runnin' Rams. James connected on his second 3-pointer of the half at the 12:02 mark, tying the ballgame at 53-53.

A traditional three-point play with 5:08 left gave Pittsburgh its largest lead of the game - eight points - at 70-62. But a 12-6 push over the next 3:27 - thanks to deep balls from Malesevic and two from James - made it a two-point game with 1:41 to go.

After Pitt connected on 1-of-2 from the charity stripe next time down the court, Rhody had a chance to tie with a Richmond 3-point attempt, but did not convert the shot.

Richmond ended with 16 points, while Malesevic added a career-high 13 points (4-6 3FG) off the bench. Daniel West, in his first action as a Ram, tallied 10 assists and three steals. Will Martell and Marquis Jones led URI with six rebounds apiece.

For the game, Rhody was outrebounded, 45-32, and attempted just 16 free throws to 30 for the Panthers.

The Runnin' Rams return to action in their 2010-11 home opener on Wednesday, Nov. 16 when they host Brown at the Thomas M. Ryan Center.

For tickets - individual, season, and mini-plans - visit ExperienceRhody.com.