URI Runs Past Richmond 79-74, Tie For 1st in A-10
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URI Runs Past Richmond 79-74, Tie For 1st in A-10
See the five takeaways slideshow below.
The Rams led 53-51 with 7:20 left to play in the game, and Richmond had the momentum. The Spiders had cut their deficit to two points on a couple of occasions previously, and URI had an answer every time to stay in the lead.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThis time, Rhody had a big answer as they ripped off a 14-3 run, helped along by a couple of E.C. Matthews three-point daggers, to put URI up 65-54 with just over four minutes left in the game.
Richmond would get as close as three with 20 seconds remaining, but the Rams were able to make a couple of big free throws when they needed to and seal the 79-74 win.
Big time performers
URI was led in the game by E.C. Matthews, who netted 26 points while Hassan Martin followed up with 16 points and a career high 16 rebounds for a double-double.
Richmond was led by Kendall Anthony who poured in 28 points while Terry Allen added 19.
Another big road game coming.
The Rams return to action on Wednesday, February 11 when they visit St. Joseph's. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
For a further look at the Rams win, see the five takeaways slideshow below.
Five Takeaways From URI's 79-74 Win Over Richmond
Free throws
Free throws were an issue for both Richmond and URI in this game, neither team could make them.
URI went 21-of-37 from the free throw line for a percentage of 57.
Richmond was slightly better going 24-of-37 from the charity stripe for a percentage of 65.
Thankfully for URI, they were able to make a couple of free throws at the end when they needed them or this really could have been a disaster.
Hassan Martin
Hassan Martin notched his fifth double-double of the season netting 16 points and pulling down a career high 16 rebounds against Richmond.
Martin's 16 points came on 8-of-13 shooting from the field in 30 minutes of play time.
Martin has been in double figures scoring in seven of the last eight games for URI and has had double digit rebounds in seven games this season and three of the last four.
E.C. Matthews
E.C. Matthews sat out three games ago with an injury and in the previous two games was a bit rusty.
However, in this game Matthews looked like himself again, netting 26 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the field including 3-for-7 from three-point land.
Matthews hit two huge three-pointers in the second half that extended URI's run and silenced the Richmond crowd.
Matthews also had five rebounds, one steal and one assist against Richmond. The only negative was his team high five turnovers.
Offensive rebounds
A major reason why the Rams won this game was because they dominated the offensive glass, and in turn, the second chance points.
Jarrelle Reischel led URI with four offensive rebounds and URI as a team grabbed 16 offensive rebounds and turned that into 17 points.
Meanwhile, Richmond grabbed eight offensive rebounds and turned that into 13 second chance points.
The Rams also outrebounded Richmond 44-29 in the game.
Tied for 1st in A-10
With the win over Richmond, Dan Hurley's URI Rams pull into a tie with VCU for first place in the A-10 Conference with a conference record of 8-2.
VCU is technically ahead of the Rams due to the fact they have the tie breaker but it's a bit early to start talking about tie breakers, there's lots of basketball left.
Next up, the Rams visit (10-12, 4-6 A-10) St. Joseph's on Wednesday, February 11 before hosting (10-13, 2-8 A-10) St. Louis a few days later.
