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BY MATT SWISS  

GoRhody.com Senior Staff Writer

So often this year, the Rams battled for a half.  They battled for 30 minutes even. 

But time and time again, youth, inexperience, a lack of familiarity with one another and a lack of chemistry got the best of them.

They showed glimpses of just how good they could be and the level of talent was clear.  The energy, passion, and opportunities to win were all there.  But all too often, the Rams seemed to let games slip away.

Not true over the last two games. The Runnin' Rams finally seem to have grown together.  They finally seem to have learned how to win, downing the first place team in the Atlantic 10 en route to consecutive victories.  And on Saturday afternoon, they will face their toughest test of the conference season to date when they host Temple at 2 p.m. at the Thomas M. Ryan Center.

Last time out against UMass, Rhode Island fought wire-to-wire and, for the second straight game, came out on top.  Thanks to 29 points and 11 rebounds from Orion Outerbridge, Rhody held on for an 81-78 overtime win over the Minutemen.

"We got a win, we got another win," said an elated Outerbridge on Wednesday, letting out a big sigh of relief in the process.  "They've been hard to come by this year but to get a nice, big win at home - especially against UMass which has been pulling on our ankles since I've been here - just has all the guys really, really happy."

For the first time all season now, Rhody has posted back-to-back wins.  In what truly was the definition of a team effort, the Rams relied on the effort and energy put forth by their freshmen early on, before turning it over to the upperclassmen late to finish off the job.

Within the first four and a half minutes, already five turnovers to their credit, the Rams seemed sluggish.  They seemed out of rhythm and found themselves down by six points early.  That was when freshmen Dominique McKoy and T.J. Buchannan checked in and immediately the entire dynamic changed.

"Everybody's just playing hard and not giving up," McKoy said.  "We're still fighting even with the record we have.  People aren't putting their heads down or quitting.  We're still playing hard, still playing every game like it's our last and the team just continues to gel and come together."

McKoy and Buchannan not only gave Rhode Island a much needed energy boost but also combined for 15 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals. A Buchanan 3-pointer from the left wing gave the Rams a one-point lead with 2:45 left to play in regulation. McKoy added career-highs with 10 points and seven rebounds.  They were active and poised and provided the Rams with exactly what they needed for 60 combined minutes. 

"It was a great team effort and that's what coach stresses, that we have to play as one," Buchanan said. "Dominique and I know that when we come off the bench, we need to keep the energy up or at least bring the energy.  Sometimes our starters are going to have a flat start and that's our job, to pick it up and get this team rolling."

 "T.J. and I were talking on the bench and we told each other that once we got in, we were going to play our hardest," McKoy added.  "We knew we needed to play with energy and keep up the intensity and that's what we did."

The effort put forth by McKoy and Buchanan off the bench helped Rhody keep pace with the Minutemen.  And when it came down to crunch time, the Rams turned to Outerbridge, Nikola Malesevic and Billy Baron to seal the victory.

In the second half and overtime periods, the aforementioned veteran trio combined for 37 points, 10 rebounds and four steals.  They hit on 12-of-25 shots and hit crucial free throws when the time called for it.

"I'm real proud of the guys," Outerbridge said.  "I wish I could stay here another year to see what this monster could turn into, but I've got to go and I know I'm leaving this basketball team in some great hands."