March 6, 2010

Box Score

KINGSTON, R.I. -- Marquis Jones' last-second 3-pointer ratted out as Rhode Island dropped a 69-67 decision at Massachusetts on Saturday afternoon.

The Rams close out 2009-10 regular season play with a 21-8 overall record, including a 9-7 mark in the Atlantic 10, and will enter the conference championship tournament as the fifth-seeded team.

Rhode Island will host #12 Saint Joseph's on Tuesday, March 9 at 7 p.m. at the Thomas M. Ryan Center in a first round game. The winner of that contest will advance to Atlantic City, N.J. and play #4 seeded Saint Louis.

Rhody started off the game strong, building a nine-point lead, after a Ben Eaves layup made it 21-12 with 9:21 left in the period. Eaves added a 3-pointer on the Rams' next possession. The junior forward scored all 10 of his points in the first half, leading Rhode Island to a 33-27 lead at the break.

In the second half, UMass cut the lead to three - at 40-37 with 14:22 to go - before a 9-3 push over the next 2:44 gave Rhody a 49-40 advantage. The run was capped by a Lamonte Ulmer steal and layup with 11:22 to go.

From there, the Minutemen countered with a 12-1 run over the next 5:30, giving them a 52-50 lead with 6:08 to go. A tip-in by Will Martell put Rhody back up by three (55-52) with 5:13 remaining. Both teams would trade baskets until a putback by UMass with 2:29 to go gave them the lead for good.

Jones would tie the game at 67-67 with two free throws with 39 seconds, setting up a final play for UMass' Ricky Harris, who hit the gamewinner with three seconds left. Harris led all scorers with 28 points.

Jones led URI with 15 points and six assists, while Delroy James added 12 points and seven rebounds. Ulmer tallied his sixth double-double of the season, with 11 points and 10 rebounds.