Rams End Skid Against Wildcats

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Saturday, December 18, 2010

GoLocalProv Sports Team

After losing to Quinnipiac last weekend, the Rams weren’t looking for any style points Saturday against New Hampshire. A win was more than enough.

Delroy James’ 22-point effort paved the way as the Rhode Island men’s basketball team hung on for a 64-52 win over the Wildcats at the Ryan Center.

Rhode Island (7-4) broke this one open in the first half and led by as many as 16 points against New Hampshire (4-4) despite an uncharacteristically-poor shooting night – the Rams shot just 36 percent from the field and 59 percent from the free-throw line.

The Rams are now 4-0 at home this year and 20-5 overall when James scores 15 points or more; he’s led the team in scoring in nine of 11 games this season. They’ve also won their last 31 games at home against non-conference opponents. Rhode Island had lost two of its last three games entering Saturday, including a loss to intra-state rival Providence on Dec. 4.

The only other player to reach double figures in scoring for Rhode Island was starting forward Nikola Malesevic, who finished with 11 points. Ben Eaves added nine points off the bench and Will Martell scored seven points. Tyrone Conley led New Hampshire with 16 points.

Saturday’s game was close for most of the first half until Rhode Island went on an 8-0 run to open up a 10-point lead. New Hampshire got the lead back down to nine, but the Rams distanced themselves even further over the final four and a half minutes to take a 13-point lead into the locker room.

Until today, the Rams hadn’t played at home since Nov. 27. They’ll return to action Wednesday against Lafayette at the Ryan Center.