2008 Woodie Awards
Rams end 5-game losing streak with win at LaSalle
Evan Crawley
Issue date: 3/4/08 Section: Sports
03/04/08 - Whew! That's the best way to describe the University of Rhode Island men's basketball team's 91-85 victory over LaSalle University Saturday.
"It was very important [to get the win]," head coach Jim Baron said. "Playing against some tough teams on the road is always challenging in any league, but for us to come back the way we did, not only on the offensive end, but on the defensive end as well, was big."
The win lifts the burden of a five-game losing streak off of the Rams' shoulders, while at the same time ending a five-game winning streak for the Explorers.
"They have a good record, they've beaten some good teams, and to beat them on their court was very significant," coach Baron said.
The Rams got one of their most balanced scoring efforts of the season, with five players finishing in double figures.
Junior Jimmy Baron led the way, ending a personal cold streak of his own, finishing with a game-high 18 points.
Heading into the contest Baron was averaging 14.2 points per game on the season, but in his previous five games was averaging nearly half of that at 7.2 points.
Junior Kahiem Seawright added 16 points, both senior Will Daniels and sophomore Keith Cothran finished with 15 and senior Parfait Bitee chipped in with 11.
In addition to the balanced scoring, the Rams were also able to take care of the basketball, finishing with 20 assists and just 10 turnovers.
"I think that's a key that we really shared the basketball," coach Baron said.
It was quite a change from the Rams' previous outing against George Washington University when the Rams had 13 turnovers and just 10 assists.
"We turned the ball over too many times against GW," coach Baron said. "We made a great turn around in the second half, but the hole was just too deep.
Saturday's game was certainly not a cakewalk, but the Rams were able to maintain a lead for most of the contest. A lay-up from Cothran with 6:02 left in the first half gave Rhody the lead for good, but the Explorers would make a push late.
"It was very important [to get the win]," head coach Jim Baron said. "Playing against some tough teams on the road is always challenging in any league, but for us to come back the way we did, not only on the offensive end, but on the defensive end as well, was big."
The win lifts the burden of a five-game losing streak off of the Rams' shoulders, while at the same time ending a five-game winning streak for the Explorers.
"They have a good record, they've beaten some good teams, and to beat them on their court was very significant," coach Baron said.
The Rams got one of their most balanced scoring efforts of the season, with five players finishing in double figures.
Junior Jimmy Baron led the way, ending a personal cold streak of his own, finishing with a game-high 18 points.
Heading into the contest Baron was averaging 14.2 points per game on the season, but in his previous five games was averaging nearly half of that at 7.2 points.
Junior Kahiem Seawright added 16 points, both senior Will Daniels and sophomore Keith Cothran finished with 15 and senior Parfait Bitee chipped in with 11.
In addition to the balanced scoring, the Rams were also able to take care of the basketball, finishing with 20 assists and just 10 turnovers.
"I think that's a key that we really shared the basketball," coach Baron said.
It was quite a change from the Rams' previous outing against George Washington University when the Rams had 13 turnovers and just 10 assists.
"We turned the ball over too many times against GW," coach Baron said. "We made a great turn around in the second half, but the hole was just too deep.
Saturday's game was certainly not a cakewalk, but the Rams were able to maintain a lead for most of the contest. A lay-up from Cothran with 6:02 left in the first half gave Rhody the lead for good, but the Explorers would make a push late.