URI men's basketball crushes Monmouth, takes down VCU

11/25/08 - The University of Rhode Island men's basketball team is off to a 3-1 start after defeating Monmouth University, 85-62, on Thursday night and Virginia Commonwealth University, 92-86, Saturday night.Junior Keith Cothran led the Rams offensively in both games on his way to consecutive career highs in scoring with 18 and 23 respectively.

"I just want to be more aggressive and just be consistent," Cothran said.

Thursday night the Rams shot a season best 64 percent in the first half, taking an 18 point lead through the first 20 minutes of play. In the second half Rhody continued the onslaught, starting out on a 15-1 run to take a 63-31 lead.

The Rams would extend their lead to 37 points on their way to an 85-62 victory in the opening game of the 2008 Hoop Group Philly Classic.

Cothran led all scorers, shooting 7-of-10 from the floor and 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. Senior Jimmy Baron was 3-of-7 from deep adding 15 points. Senior Kahiem Seawright added 13 points and seven rebounds.

Saturday night at the Ryan Center, the Rams faced a much tougher test against the VCU Rams in a game that featured 19 lead changes and 12 ties.

After trailing 4-0, Rhody went on a 12-2 run in the opening minutes of the game to take an early six-point lead. The first half was a tight back - and - forth battle as neither team extended a significant lead. The game was tied at 43 going into the half.

In the second half, the Rams shot 66.7 percent from the field opening a 61-51 lead with 11:37 remaining in the game. VCU took the momentum battling its way back into the game, eventually taking a 72-68 lead with just under seven minutes to play.

On the next possession Baron hit his first three-pointer of the game, bringing the crowd to their feet.

VCU missed a three-pointer on the other end and Cothran converted a lay-up to put the Rams back in front 73-72, with 5:12 left. Back and forth they went as the lead exchanged hands six times over the next three minutes as junior Delroy James put Rhody in front with a lay-up 83-82.

Baron hit another clutch three-pointer down the stretch making it 86-82 with 1:47 remaining on the clock. URI was able to hit its free throws down the stretch to secure the 92-86 victory.

"I was really concerned about this game coming in just because its been a long week for us," head coach Jim Baron said. "They're a really good team, but I was real proud of the way we really rebounded the basketball in the second half. We forced 26 turnovers and we kept attacking the basket."

Rhody turned those 26 turnovers into 43 points and converted 25 second - chance points off 19 offensive rebounds.

"We just had great balance rebounding the ball, distributing the ball, having 15 assists," coach Baron said. "We had a couple of guys step up. Keith [Cothran] probably had one of his best games. I thought Will Martell gave us some quality minutes off the bench."

The Rams shot 54.1 percent for the game and five players were in double figures. Cothran led all scorers with 23 points, shooting 10-of-16 from the floor. Baron and Seawright both added 17 points. James had 14 points and grabbed six rebounds.

Sophomore point guard Marquis Jones had 10 points, four assists, and three steals. Jones also shut down one of the best players in the country, senior Eric Maynor.

"I thought Marquis Jones played one of his best games," coach Baron said. "The kid Maynor is a terrific player, but I thought he got him to turn the ball over 10 times."

The Rams return to action at home against the University of Hartford as part of the Philly Classic tonight at 7p.m.

"I wanna thank the student body for coming out," coach Baron said. "We hope they continue."

Two Rams received weekly honors for their performances over the past week. Jimmy Baron was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Week on Saturday. He shot 48.3 percent from the field and 13-of-21 from beyond he arc leading the Rams to a 2-1 record.

Keith Cothran was named Player of the Week by Collegechalktalk.com for his career highs against Monmouth and VCU. He shot 17-of-26 over the week.