URI Rams Lose 94-88 to #18 Arizona State University in Opener
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URI Rams Lose 94-88 to #18 Arizona State University in Opener
Rhode Island (0-1) rallied from a 16-point first-half deficit to take a took late lead in the game, but the Rams in the opener at the 2020 2K Empire Classic at Mohegan Sun Arena Wednesday.
The Rams lost about half the team to transfer and graduation. It has been a transfer revolving door at the URI program.
Sun Devils steadily built their 16-point lead in the first half at the foul line as ASU went 13-of-18 in the first 11:25, helping establish a 32-16 advantage.
Remy Martin (11) and Marcus Bagley (10) combined for 21 points early to stake ASU to the lead.
For the game, preseason All-American Martin had a game-high 26 points for Arizona State.
A 17-8 run over the final 5:35 got the Rams back within striking distance. After starting the game 3-for-9 at the line, Rhody hit seven straight from the stripe to end the half.
The Rams got the lead down to four points by the first media timeout of the second half. Fatts Russell scored Rhody's first seven points after halftime. A pair of Makhel Mitchell free throws made the score 57-53 just before the first timeout of the half.
Antwan Walker then scored 14 consecutive points. He hit a 3-pointer with 12:31 to go to give the Rams their first lead of the half, 67-64. After ASU tied it on a hoop-and-harm three-point play from Holland Woods, a Makhi Mitchell tip in put Rhody back in front, 69-67.
Jalen Carey hit a jumper to give Rhody an 85-84 lead with 4:49 to go, but Arizona State ended the game on a 9-4 run to hold off the Rams.
FIVE FACTS:
- Senior Jeremy Sheppard reached double digits in his Rhode Island debut, finishing with 19 points. He hit his first four shots of the game, the first three of which came from beyond the arc. Overall he was 7-of-9 from the floor, including a perfect 4-for-4 from the arc.
- Redshirt junior Antwan Walker scored a career-high 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting in his first start for the Rams. All but three of which came in the second half. Walker also had eight rebounds and a career-high three assists.
- Redshirt junior D.J. Johnson gave the team a big boost off the bench. In 18 minutes, he scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
Johnson was a team-best +5 in the +/- category.
- Transfer Junior Malik Martin had nine points, as the Rhode Island bench provided 26 points overall.
- Despite playing the entire game with foul trouble, senior Fatts Russell had 12 points, six assists and four rebounds in 25 minutes. He had 10 points and four assists in the second half.
Up Next
Rhode Island will play Boston College in the consolation game of the Empire Classic. Game time is 7 p.m. Thursday, and the game will air on ESPN.