URI Falls Again - Late Season Collapse Repeats
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URI Falls Again - Late Season Collapse Repeats
Rhode Island (17-12, 6-11 Atlantic 10) looked strong early on. A 12-0 run that featured five points each from Cam Estevez and Quentin Diboundje had URI in front 26-17 with 9:21 in the period.
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The Rams are 3-7 in their last ten.
From there, Saint Joseph's (20-10, 11-6 A-10) took over. The Hawks outscored Rhode Island 21-10 for the remainder of the half. The Rams closed out the half, making just four of its final 15 field goals and going 1-for-4 at the line.
URI had started the game 10-for-19 from the field.
History was made during the Saint Joseph's run, as Erik Reynolds II became the school's all-time leader scorer with 2,114 points and counting. He passed the legendary Jameer Nelson atop the list.
The momentum stayed with the Hawks in the second half, as Rhode Island allowed 20 points off 11 turnovers and nine second-chance points after halftime. By contrast, URI gave up two points off three turnovers and seven second-chance points in the first half.
Saint Joseph's pushed its lead to 10 points just 2:24 into the second half. The only time Rhody got it back to single digits the rest of the way was on a Cam Estevez 3-pointer that made the score 56-47 with 14:55 left.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Rhode Island allowed 80+ points for the 10th time in the last 13 games. In the first 16 games, only one opponent (Brown, in double overtime) reached 80 points.
- Estevez scored in double figures for the fourth time this season, scoring 11 points while making 3-of-4 from the arc.
- Point guard Sebastian Thomas had a team-high 15 points with five assists and three rebounds.
- Forward David Green had 13 points and five rebounds.
- He will enter Saturday's regular-season finale needing seven points to reach 1,000 for his career.
- Center Javonte Brown had 11 points and six rebounds.
- Guard Jaden House had 10 points, giving the Rams five players in double figures.
- As a team, Rhode Island has made 220 3-pointers, the seventh most in program history.
NEXT
Rhode Island hosts Fordham in the regular-season finale on Saturday. Before the game, the team will hold its Senior Day ceremony. The game will be broadcast at 2 p.m. on ESPN+.