Close defeat for men's basketball against rival Providence College

12/09/08 - Saturday afternoon in front of a sellout crowd at the Dunkin Donuts Center, the University of Rhode Island men's basketball team came one point shy of defeating in-state rival Providence College, 66-65.

The 121st meeting between the two schools lived up to all expectations as the game was decided in the final seconds. Providence forward Geoff McDermott hit two free throws to put the Friars in front 66-65 with 17.5 seconds remaining.

Senior guard Jimmy Baron had a chance to win it for the Rams, but his jump shot rimmed out with less than five seconds to play and time expired. Baron explained the play after the game.

"Ya know pick and roll at the top of the key, somewhat of the play against Duke, I got by the hedge man I tried to make a play, didn't happen," he said.

Baron and senior Kahiem Seawright led the Rams in scoring and on the glass with 18 points a piece and combining for 14 rebounds. Junior Lamonte Ulmer shot 6-of-8 from the field and scored a season high 12 points.

"I know that URI was picked eight or ninth in their conference, I can't imagine to see eight teams better than that in any conference," Providence coach Keno Davis said.

Rhody was just 4-9 from the free throw line and 3-15 from deep. The Rams out-rebounded the Friars 40-36 for the game (21-14 in the first half) but were outscored 42-36 in the paint.

"I thought it was a hard fought game," head coach Jim Baron said. "I really felt that rebounding was gonna be a difference maker. I thought that the first half we did a good job and then the second half they seemed to be a little more physical."

The first half was a fast paced, back-and-forth battle as the lead exchanged hands 15 times. Baron came out hot shooting 6-of-10 from the floor and 3-of-4 from deep, scoring 16 points. The Rams shot 51.5 percent for the half and held a 39-38 lead.

In the second half, Rhody came out on a 6-0 run to take the 45-38 lead, their largest lead of the game. But the Friars would slow down Baron and the Rams to stay in the game.

Both teams shot just 36 percent in the second half and URI was 0-8 from beyond the arc during that time.

Providence would take a 52-51 lead with just less than 10 minutes to go in the game. Ulmer would bring the Rams back, scoring six consecutive points to put Rhody up 57-52.

After a few exchanged baskets, Seawright hit a jumper to put the Rams in front 61-56 with 3:04 left on the clock. Providence went on 5-0 run, capped off by Weyinmi Efejuku's three-pointer to tie the game at 61 as the crowd erupted. Keith Cothran put the Rams back in front with a tough drive to the basket and Providence forward Jonathan Kale made a lay-up on the other end to tie the game at 63. Marquis Jones came right back with a lay-up of his own making 65-63. Kale was fouled by Will Martell, but converted just 1-of-2 from the line and Rhody was up 65-64 with 1:14 to go. Baron missed a three-pointer and Seawright fouled McDermott on the other end, to put the Friars in front 66-65. The Rams had one last opportunity to win the game as Baron missed a jumper off the rim, Jones got the rebound and tried to pass to a wide-open Seawright, but his pass was knocked away and time expired.

"We had some costly turnovers down the stretch and they hit some big shots to get back into the game," coach Baron said.

The Rams are now 6-3 and will host the University of New Hampshire Tuesday night. Tip-off is at 7p.m. at the Ryan Center.