URI's Season Comes to a Close after 74-65 Loss to Stanford
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URI's Season Comes to a Close after 74-65 Loss to Stanford
See the five takeaways slideshow below
Two E.C. Matthews free throws cut the URI deficit to just one point, 36-35, after they trailed by as many as 13 in the first half. However, from that point on the Cardinal went on a 5-0 run to go up 41-35. The Rams would get it as close as two, 41-39, but Stanford would once again extend their lead.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTStanford was able to extend their lead and keep it their by getting themselves to the free throw line in the second half. The Cardinal shot 35 free throws in just the second half alone.
E.C. Matthews led the Rams with 23 points while Hassan Martin followed up with 16 of his own.
Stanford was led by Chasson Randle who poured in 35 points while Anthony Brown added 16 in the Cardinal's win over the Rams.
For a further look at the game, see the five takeaways slideshow below.
Five Takeaways From URI's 74-65 Loss to Stanford
Jared Terrell
In the final game of his freshman season, Jared Terrell only netted four points on 2-of-6 shooting from the field in 22 minutes of play.
Overall, this was a solid first season for Terrell who finishes the year averaging nine points per game and started all but one game for the Rams this season.
Lots to be excited about when it comes to Terrell.
Defense
URI's defense was pretty solid despite the loss. URI held Stanford to just 34% shooting from the field and 15% shooting from three point land.
URI forced 9 turnovers, four of which came on steals and blocked five shots. Hassan Martin had four of the five URI blocked shots in the game.
The Rams were only able to convert 9 points off of the 9 turnovers however.
Free Throws
Stanford shot an almost absurd 49 free throws in the game, 35 of which came in the second half. Stanford made 36 of those free throws.
Meanwhile, URI shot 21 free throws for game and only made 12 of them.
36-12= a 24 point difference.
Stanford got to the free throw line just over 17 times in a 20 minute second half period.
Stanfords Chasson Martin shot almost as many free throws by himself as URI's entire team. Martin shot 19 free throws and made 15 of them.
Turnovers / Matthews
In the Stanford game, URI was really hurt by turnovers and E.C. Matthews was the guilty party on this night. Matthews turned the ball over seven times in the game while URI as a team turned it over 15 times.
Stanford scored 21 points off of the 15 URI turnovers.
Turnovers also cost the Rams in the A-10 semifinals against Dayton when they turned it over 21 times, leading to 22 Dayton points.
E.C. Matthews
Matthews led URI with 23 points on 8-of-20 shooting from the field and 4-of-6 from the free throw line. Matthews also grabbed seven rebounds and dished out three assists.
Matthews ends the season averaging 17 points per game and shooting 41 % from the field.
One thing E.C. Matthews will need to work on for next season is cutting down on his turnovers.
Successful Season
With the 74-65 loss to Stanford in the second round of the NIT, the Rams season comes to a close.
It was a successful season for URI, they got themselves back in the mix of contenders in the A-10 with a conference record of 13-5 and then got themselves into the post season for the first time since 2010, making the NIT.
URI was 2 or 3 conference wins away from getting to the NCAA tournament, certianly losing to Davidson at home and St. Joseph's on the road are two losses that hurt.
With that said, head coach Dan Hurley has the team in a really good spot and the excitement for next season should be very high.
