NCAA Tourney Hopes Shattered, URI Falls 56-52 to Dayton
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NCAA Tourney Hopes Shattered, URI Falls 56-52 to Dayton
See the five takeaways slideshow below.
With the game tied at 42, Jared Terrell turned the ball over on an arrant pass intended for E.C. Matthews who was held up on a screen.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTOn the ensuing possession, Dayton's Dyshawn Pierre got himself to the free throw line and converted on two free throws giving the Flyers a 44-42 lead. Their first lead since being up 22-20 late in the first half.
URI would get the game tied on several occasions, but would never get the lead back as their 21 turnovers proved costly in their 56-52 loss.
The Rams were led by E.C. Matthews, who netted 16 points in the game, while Gilvydas Biruta followed up with 14 points and nine rebounds.
The Dayton Flyers were led by Jordan Sibert who poured in 12 points, dished out five assists and had five steals.
Season's Not Over
With the loss, the Rams NCAA tournament hopes come to an end, however, their season will carry on in one of the many other post season tournaments, most likely the NIT.
The NIT selection show is on Sunday, March 15 at 8:30 on ESPNU.
For a further look at the Rams loss, see the five takeaways slideshow below.
Five Takeaways From URI's 56-52 Loss to Dayton
T.J. Buchanan
After playing solid in the Rams win over George Washington, T.J. Buchanan was not effective in the Dayton game.
Buchanan played 18 minutes, only took one shot and did not register one point in the game, while turning the ball over four times.
To be fair, the rest of the Rams bench, Biggie Minnis and Earl Watson only scored two points and combined for three turnovers.
Hassan Martin
Hassan Martin has been great all season for URI but in the biggest game of the year, Martin did not have a good one.
Martin netted four points on 2-of-7 shooting from the field and grabbed five rebounds. Martin didn't block any shots or come away with any steals.
An alarming stat is that Martin didn't get himself to the free throw line once in the game. That's alarming because as a paint player, he should be getting to the free throw line at least a couple times by accident.
URI only shot 10 free throws in the game as a team.
Martin failed to convert on multiple shots right near the basket that cost the Rams valuable points.
E.C. Matthews
E.C. Matthews poured in a game high 16 points on 6-of-16 shooting from the field, including 4-of-9 from three point land.
However, he turned the ball over four times and took some shots that were questionable at best which essentially were turnovers.
Matthews also grabbed four rebounds and had one assist.
Season not over
Despite the tough loss the Rams took to Dayton, their season is not over.
While they won't get into the NCAA tournament, they will likely get a bid in the NIT tournament.
Two seasons ago, the PC Friars missed the NCAA Tournament but got into the NIT and made a deep run. The next year, they used that as a springboard into the NCAA's.
The Rams can do the same thing with a deep run in the NIT, maybe even win the NIT.
The NIT selection show is Sunday, March 15 at 8:30 on ESPNU.
Turnovers
Jared Terrell turned the ball over five times while E.C. Matthews and T.J. Buchanan turned the ball over four times each and the URI turned the ball over 21 times in the game. This included a stretch in which URI turned the ball over five times in an 11 possession span.
Of the 21 turnovers, 11 of them came on Dayton steals. Dayton ended the game with 22 points off the URI turnovers.
The Flyers turned the ball over 12 times, five of which came on URI steals.
Can't turn the ball over 21 times in a game, especially a tournament game against another good team, and expect to win.
