NEW: URI Falls to West Virginia 86-81 Despite Russell's Big Performance
GoLocalProv Sports Team
NEW: URI Falls to West Virginia 86-81 Despite Russell's Big Performance
It is the sixth straight game in which Russell has scored 20 or more points.
Russell’s points came on 14-of-25 shooting from the field. He also dished out five assists and recorded five steals.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTURI drops to 5-3 on the season, while West Virginia improves to 7-0.
URI Loses in Final Seconds
Trailing 82-79 with 57 seconds left in the game, Rhode Island got a layup by Cyril Langevine to cut their deficit to one, 82-81, with 34 seconds to play in the game.
On West Virginia’s next possession, Jermaine Haley got a layup to push the Mountaineers lead back up to three, 84-81 with 12 seconds left.
On the Rams final possession, Rhode Island ran Russell off a screen, but Tyrese Martin’s pass was too high for Russell to handle and the ball went out of bounds.
The mountaineers would seal the game at the free-throw line in the final three seconds.
Langevine added 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Rams.
URI Rallies in 2nd Half
Trailing by 11, 44-33, at the half, the Rams rallied to tie the game at 60 on a Jeff Dowtin layup with 9:26 left in the game.
The tie was short-lived as West Virginia’s Oscar Tshiebwe would score five straight points to give the Mountaineers a five-point lead, 65-60, with eight minutes to go.
A three by Dana Tate three with 7:15 left got Rhode Island back within one, 65-64, before the Mountaineers would score the next five points to push their lead back up to six, 70-64, with 5:38 left.
West Virginia maintained a six-point lead, going up 75-69, with just under four minutes to play in the game.
Rhode Island would rally again, getting within one point, 82-81, in the final minute.
Next Up
URI returns to action on Friday, December 6 when they renew their rivalry with Providence College at the Ryan Center.
Game time is set for 7 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN2.