Russell Pours in 30 Points, URI Rolls VCU 87-75 for 8th Straight Win
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Russell Pours in 30 Points, URI Rolls VCU 87-75 for 8th Straight Win
The win gives URI a 2.5 game lead over VCU for second place in the A-10.
“We’re trying to reach a goal here – trying to win a championship, trying to get to the NCAA Tournament. Our eyes are forward. We’re still in the hunt. We’re not worried about being chased right now,” said URI head coach David Cox after the game.
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It is the 13th game this season in which Russell has scored at least 20 points.
The Rams improve to 16-5 overall and 8-1 in the A-10.
VCU falls to 16-6 overall and 6-3 in the A-10.
URI Takes Control
The Rams grabbed the lead from the beginning of the game and led 22-17 with 8:27 left in the first half.
From there, URI went on a 17-2 run to take a 39-19 lead on a three from Jeff Dowtin.
Dowtin was the one who helped spark Rhode Island’s run, hitting a corner three, coming up with a steal on the defensive end and knocking down a three in transition to put Rhode Island up 20.
Rhode Island would take a commanding 49-27 lead into the locker room.
Dowtin had 15 points in the first half, he finished with 17 points in the game.
In the second half, URI built as much as a 28 point lead, 60-32, with 17 minutes left in the game on a Russell layup and-1.
However, VCU would use a 28-9 run to get back in the game, cutting URI’s lead to 69-60 with 5:59 to play in the game.
URI would get three straight points from Tyrese Martin to push their lead to 72-60 with 5:31 left to go.
VCU would get within nine on two more occasions, the last time coming at 74-65 with four minutes left.
Rhode Island would respond with three free throws from Russell and a three from Martin to take an 80-65 with 2:34 to play.
Martin finished the game with 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field.
VCU would not get closer than 12 points the rest of the way.
Bracketology Update - URI is In
According to the latest bracket projections by ESPN’s Joe Lunardi posted on Friday, the Rams are in the NCAA Tournament as an 11 seed.
Lunardi has Rhode Island as one of the “Last Four In” and taking on Memphis in one of the First-Four games.
Earlier this week, Lunardi had Rhode Island as one of the "First Four Out."
Overall, Lunardi now has three teams making the tournament from the A-10, URI, VCU, and #7 Dayton.
Next Up
URI returns to action on Tuesday, February 4 when they host UMass at the Ryan Center.
Game Time is set for 7 p.m. and can be seen on the CBS Sports Network.