URI Turns Up the Heat On Brown, Wins 92-67

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Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Scott Cordischi, GoLocalProv Sports Editor

The Brown Bears were hoping for their second consecutive upset of an Atlantic Ten team. The URI Rams were looking to win their home opener after losing to 4th-ranked Pitt last week. The Rams got their wish.

Rhode Island handled Brown at the Ryan Center Tuesday night winning 92-67.

Rhody jumped out to an early lead thanks to some hot shooting. The Rams hit 10 of their first 12 shots from the field while the Bears struggled to put the ball in the basket. It allowed Rhode Island to open up a double digit lead which they would hold for most of the evening.

Senior Delroy James led all scorers with 23 points for the Rams. James slashed through the Brown defense to the basket all night finishing 9-15 from the field. “With Nick (Malasevic) and Akeem (Richmond) on the wing it opens up the floor and then it becomes a matter of who are you going to cover,” said Rhody coach Jim Baron.

Sophomores Daniel West and Nikola Malasevic provided some scoring punch of the Rhode Island bench. Each scored 14. The Rhody bench scored 40 points on 16-24 shooting.

The Bears struggled with the Rhody pressure all night committing 22 turnovers that led to 35 URI points. “They got us out of our comfort level and we were unable to adapt and play at their pace. That’s a good team,” said Brown’s Jesse Agel.

Brown was led by senior Garrett Leffelman and freshman Sean McGonagill each of whom scored 11. Sophomore Tucker Halpern was the only other Brown player in double figures with 10.

Next up for URI is a match-up with the College of Charleston in Toledo, Ohio Friday afternoon at 4:30pm. The Bears return to the Pizzatola Sports Center Saturday night at 7 for their home opener against Sacred Heart.