Lamar Odom
Since being found unconscious at Nevada’s Love Ranch brothel on Tuesday, former URI basketball student-athlete and NBA champion Lamar Odom has been reported by ESPN as breathing on his own and speaking.
Odom, who is still in critical condition, was transported to a Los Angeles hospital on Monday, ESPN reported.
“We’re more hopeful now,” Jim Harrick, former University of Rhode Island men’s basketball coach, told CNN. “We’ve been on pins and needles for days.”
Odom played one season at Rhode Island for the 1997-98 season where he averaged 17.6 points a game and earned first-team all conference honors.
Last Thursday, the University of Rhode Island posted on their Facebook account, “The University of Rhode Island community continues to keep former Rhody basketball star Lamar Odom in its thoughts and prayers as he remains in a Las Vegas hospital. Known for his warmth, kindness and generosity while he was on campus, Lamar delighted Rhode Island students, alumni and fans with his talent and joy for the game…He will remain a part of the URI story for years to come.â€
Volleyball
The University of Rhode Island women’s volleyball team beat Fordham University in four sets on Saturday.
Rhode Island dominated the first two sets and fell in the third by two points. They took the match by claiming the fourth set by a score of 25-18. The Rams held advantages in hitting percentage, kills, digs and aces.
Senior Franki Darnold dominated with a match-high 18 kills. Junior Audrey Castro added another 16 kills.
The team is now 14-6 overall and 4-3 in conference play. Their next match is Friday at 7 p.m. at George Washington University and then they visit George Mason University the following night.
Men’s Golf
by Dave Albiani
The University of Rhode Island men’s golf team competed at the Georgetown Intercollegiate this week, placing second of the overall 12 teams.
Junior Billy Walthouse was the individual champion of the field, shooting a 67. He tied for the lead at two strokes under par, but won the first playoff hole against Princeton University’s Quinn Prchal to win the tournament outright.
For the season Walthouse has now been the top performer for the Rams in their last four tournaments, including scoring under par in his last three matches.
As a team however Rhode Island just missed first place. They finished just three strokes behind Princeton. This marks the third time they have been runner-up at a tournament this season.
Senior Makenzie Denver also placed seventh overall, shooting a four over par. Denver’s even par score in the second round allowed him to move up the leaderboard and collect another top 10 finish, his third in as many matches.
Also of note were seniors Joe Leavitt and Nick Fairweather, who tied for 26th and 59th respectively.
With this tournament in the books and the fall season now completed, the Rams have until March to rest up for the spring season that will begin in Wilmington, North Carolina, for the Seahawk Intercollegiate.