Rhode Island Starters
Tripp, Corey, Johnson, Cochran, Itejere
Duquesne Starters
Hall, Guinyard, Dixon, Williams, Necas
How it Happened
Rhode Island could not recover from an early deficit, and a bizarre call late stymied a rally as the Rams (13-9, 4-5 Atlantic 10) lost at Duquesne, 76-61 Sunday afternoon. The loss snapped URI's modest three-game win streak.
Duquesne (12-10, 4-5 A-10) got a big first half from Jimmie Williams, who poured in 15 points. By making seven 3-pointers and 6-of-7 at the free throw line, the Dukes steadily built their lead throughout the half, getting ahead by as many as 13 points. Rhody had a three minute scoreless drought in the closing minutes that was finally snapped when
Jalen Harper hit a 3-pointer with 56 seconds to go in the half. That sent URI into the break trailing by 10, 37-27.
The Duquesne lead grew to as many as 15 points at 55-40 before the Rams made a push.
RJ Johnson hit a corner 3-pointer as the shot clock wound down.
Jahmere Tripp then made 1-of-2 at the line and got the rebound on the miss and scored a basket. After a Dukes basket,
Tyler Cochran hit a 3-pointer. After a stop,
Myles Corey hit a drive and drew the foul. He completed the three-point play, pulling Rhody within five at 57-52.
The Rams appeared to pull within four points at 59-55 after Corey made two more free throws. However, after a Duquesne basket, the referees stopped play and took the Corey free throws off the board. They made
Keeyan Itejere go to the line to reshoot the free throws. He made 1-of-2 to make the score 61-54. From there, Duquesne scored nine unanswered points to essentially ice the game.
Inside the Box Score
- Duquesne averages 83.2 points per game. Rhody held the Dukes below their season average, the 19th time in 22 games it has done so.
- Tyler Cochran led Rhody with 18 points to go with seven rebounds, three assists and three steals.
- Myles Corey had 14 points and five rebounds.
- Jahmere Tripp scored 15 points and had three assists before fouling out.
- It was his fourth straight game scoring in double digits.
- The Rams were just 9-of-18 at the free throw line.
Up Next
Rhode Island is off until Saturday, Feb. 7 when it welcomes Richmond to the Ryan Center. Game time is 2 p.m. on ESPN+ and the Varsity Network.
