Loss to Davidson Shows URI Is Fatts Russell’s Team

Loss to Davidson Shows URI Is Fatts Russell’s Team

In regulation, it looked as if the University of Rhode Island Rams would lose as junior guard Fatts Russell shot 0-12 until he scored a bucket at the five-minute mark in the second half to give the Rams a much-needed boost.

Then, it looked like the Rams were done in regulation until Russell hit his first three-pointer of the game with 5 seconds in the game to tie the contest and force overtime.

The Russell saga continued in overtime as Russell fouled out and the Rams lost. Russell shot 3-17 from the field.

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The Rams battled back from a nine-point second-half deficit to force the overtime, but the Rams ultimately fell at Davidson, 77-75, Saturday night.

URI struggled on offense in the first half, shooting just 11-for-34 (32.4 percent). Rhody was 0-for-6 from 3-point range. Davidson, behind the play of Kellen Grady, led for more than 16 minutes. Grady had 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting.

Jeff Dowtin put the Rams on his back, scoring nine straight points to pull Rhody within 51-50 with 11:47 to go. Antwan Walker gave URI its first lead of the half 52-51, when he converted a transition basket off an assist from Russell at 10:25.

Dowtin hit a pair of free throws to give Rhody a 63-60 lead with 3:25 left. Davidson scored six straight, getting a Jon Axel Gudmunsson layup, two free throws by Hyunjung Lee and a layup by Brajkovic.

Cyril Langevine hit two free throws to make the score 66-65, and Rhody made a defensive stop to set up a chance for the lead. However, a Dowtin floater missed, and Brajkovic was fouled. He made 1-of-2, but Gudmunsson got the rebound and was fouled. He missed the first, and made the second for a 68-65 lead. Russell came down and drained a deep 3-pointer to tie the score with 5.7 seconds on the clock.

Gudmunsson drove the length of the court, but Dowtin made the defensive play, blocking the shot attempt and setting up overtime.

A Tyrese Martin dunk opened the scoring in the extra session, and Carter Collins responded with two free throws for Davidson. Russell hit a 3-pointer to make it 73-70 URI, but Grady hit a floater to keep the Wildcats within 73-72 with 1:57 on the clock.

Langevine was fouled in the act and missed both free throws, but Martin got the offensive board, giving the Rams a new possession with 1:27 to go. Rhody came up empty, and Gudmunssoon tied it with a free throw. He missed his second try, and Bates Jones got the rebound and proceeded to hit both free throws, putting the Wildcats ahead, 75-73.

After a missed shot on Rhody's next possession, Gudmunsson again made 1-of-2 at the line, putting URI in a 76-73 hole. Dowtin appeared to hit a 3-pointer with seven seconds to go to tie the game, but a foul before the shot was called on Grady. Dowtin made two free throws, and Brajkovic was fouled with four seconds left. He made one free throw to make the score 77-75.

Both teams turned the ball over in the final two seconds, giving Rhode Island one last desperation shot. Martin launched a shot from beyond midcourt that just went off the rim as the final buzzer sounded.