Matthews, Rams Out-Pace Aggies 72-59.

Matthews, Rams Out-Pace Aggies 72-59.

Kingston, RI-- E.C. Matthews scored 18 points (12 in the 2nd half), and the URI Rams used a 16-0 run early in the 2nd half to break away from North Carolina A&T 72-59.

“E.C. gave us a great lift offensively with his lane attacks and his play-making,” said Rams Head Coach Dan Hurley.

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The freshman Matthews was able to penetrate into the lane at will in the 2nd half, and the Rams turned some timely defense into easy offense in running away with a competitive game.

Transfer backup point guard Biggie Minnis was also spectacular in the 2nd half, routinely running the fast break and finding teammates with some nifty passing for easy buckets.

Matthews finished +17 for the game and Minnis was +18 to lead the Rams. As a whole the Rams bench finished +38 as compared to the starter’s total of +27.

Leading the way for the Aggies were Bruce Beckford (14 points), Lamont Middleton (13 points), and Richaud Pack (12 points).

North Carolina A&T are the defending MEAC conference champions and lost to eventual National Champion Louisville last year in the NCAA Tournament. This year’s Aggies squad is young, however, with 8 freshmen on the 15 man roster.

URI won the rebounding battle 37-27 despite top rebounder Ifeanyi Onyekaba facing foul trouble all night. They attempted 13 more free throws than the Aggies and scored 10 more poits from the charity stripe than their opponents.

Xavier Munford scored 13 points and Jarelle Reischel added 12 for the Rams, who outscored the Aggies 40-26 in the 2nd half.

URI improves to 2-1 on the season, while NC A&T falls to 1-2. Next up for Rhody is a game against Division 2 #1 Metro State in the first round of the NIT Pre-Season Tipoff event in Tuscon, Arizona on Monday.

“Overall it was a really good win for us,” said Hurley. “Any win this year is a good win for us.”

 

 

Injury News

Gilvydas Biruta (ankle) played 21 minutes and was visibly in pain during the 2nd half. Hurley said after the game that in hindsight Biruta “probably shouldn’t have played those first 2 games.”

Xavier Munford continues to show rust as he recovers from a preseason toe injury. Hurley said he needs to continue to play Munford and let him find his rhythm.

Hurley said Mike Aaman was a game time decision for tonight’s game (ankle). Aaman played with his ankle wrapped, and scored 5 points in 9 minutes of action.