Seawright becomes second player in URI history to score 1,000 points

02/03/09 - The University of Rhode Island Men's basketball team held on to beat La Salle University 98-88 in overtime at home Saturday afternoon. Rhody gave up a late lead and allowed La Salle to send the game into overtime. The Rams were able to pull away, shooting a perfect 4-for-4 in the extra session.

"I thought in the first half we really pushed the tempo, got some turnovers, and really attacked the bucket," head coach Jim Baron said. "I thought in the second half we had great lead, but I thought we got a little bit tentative. We have to be aggressive; this team needs to be aggressive."

Senior forward Kahiem Seawright led all scorers with 25 points. He also added four assists, three steals, and two blocks. Seawrights's two blocks made him the second player in URI history to score more than 1,000 points, grab more than 750 rebounds, and block at least 100 shots in his career.

"I think my teammates did a great job of just finding me," Seawright said. "We feel like we need to have a low post presence to go along with our outside shooters. They don't give up they keep working with me. A lot of teams have been doubling me, but they swing the ball around."

Juniors Delroy James and Lamonte Ulmer recorded career highs, scoring 22 and 19, respectively. James was 9-of-12 from floor, 3-of-4 from deep including a three-pointer in overtime to take the lead. URI used the full-court press to their full advantage creating 16 steals, turning La Salle over 24 times. Ulmer led the team with five steals.

"We get quite a lot of steals out there, Ulmer said. "We do it a lot in practice [press] during the game it becomes part of what you do daily."

Marquis Jones turned in another solid performance with 13 points and a career-high nine assists.

"He's playing great, finding the open man," James said. "He's picking his spots where he can shoot, where he can drive, where he can setup, where he can do what he wants to do on the court."

The Rams trailed early in the first half as the Explorers opened up for an 8-0 lead. Rhody then went an 8-0 run using the full court press to create turnovers. The Rams led most of the first half and held a 46-35 lead at halftime.

In the second half Rhody kept control ,increasing their lead to 12 points at 61-49 with 14:07 to go in the game. But the Explorers put together an 11-2 run capped off by a Rodney Green three-pointer to put La Salle within three at 63-60 with just past nine minutes to play.

The Rams once again built their lead back to eleven points at 80-69, but the Explorers simply wouldn't go away quietly sparking an 11-0 run in the final three minutes to tie the game at 80-80 with 22 seconds on the clock.

URI called a timeout to set up an opportunity to put the game way for good. Jimmy Baron got the ball and tried to drive, but was forced to shoot an unbalanced three that fell short and sent the game into overtime.

"We wanted to try to get fouled because we were in the one and one," coach Baron said. "We wanted to get fouled whether it was going to be Marquis or Jimmy. We wanted them to attack the bucket, but they got a little bit tentative and tried to make the shot."

In the overtime session Green hit a jumper to give the Explorers the lead for the first time since the 7:51 mark in the first half. Rhody came right back as James buried a three from the corner putting them in front 83-82.

"They drove and kicked, I was wide opened I just took the shot, nothing to it," James said. No set-up play, when you're open you you've got to shoot the ball."

The Rams didn't miss from the field in overtime and converted 8-of-12 from the free throw line to secure the 98-88 victory.

The win improves their record to 4-3 in the Atlantic 10. (15-7 overall) The Rams return to action Thursday night as they travel to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.