For the fourth time this season, the University of Rhode Island men’s basketball team (14-10, 6-5 A-10) has won back-to-back games. On Saturday, they defeated conference opponent La Salle University on the road, and on Tuesday night, they beat George Mason University in what was a three-point shooting frenzy at the Ryan Center.
On Saturday night, URI started slow. Freshman Nicola Akele made his first collegiate start, replacing junior Kuran Iverson, who is still nursing a concussion he suffered against Saint Joseph’s on Jan. 30. Offensively, the Rams struggled in the first half. Their seven offensive rebounds helped them keep the game tied at 29 apiece, as they struggled to break away from the last-place team in the conference.
In the second half, the Rams’ offense started clicking. Sophomores Jared Terrell and Jarvis Garrett combined for 31 second-half points and Akele added another 11 in the half with two three-pointers. Garrett led the game with 26 total points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals on 11-for-19 shooting.
Tuesday’s game featured a memorable night from guard Four McGlynn, who led all scorers with 25 points, going 6-of-11 from 3-point range, with 17 of his points coming in the first half. Terrell added 19 points and five assists while Garrett tallied 17 points and five assists, as the other Rams finishing the night in double figures.
“Obviously really happy to get a win, we were consistent offensively in both halves,†head coach Dan Hurley said. We shot it well, and it was great to see Four’s shot fall during a season where he’s logged more minutes than expected. Our guys seemed rested tonight. Jared and Jarvis have grown to be one of the best guard tandems in our conference, they showed that tonight.â€
Rhode Island led George Mason at the end of the first half 41-37, outshooting GMU 53.3 to 45.2 percent from the field and near 54 percent (7-of 13) from beyond the arc, compared to GMU’s output of 20 percent (1-of-5).
The Patriots were able to keep their prospects of winning intact, through their presence in the low paint, scoring 22 points, and consistently getting to the free throw line where they went a perfect 8-for-8.
“Second half, their inside game was not as much of a factor towards us that it was in the first half. Our guys figured it out,†Hurley said.
In the second half of play, URI continued to shoot the ball at a ridiculous rate, going 5-for-8 from downtown, as they attempted to leave George Mason in the rearview mirror with an offensive barrage that included 12 unanswered points, eight coming from McGlynn. The Rams stepped up the defense in the second half, with nine blocks and three steals. Junior forward Hassan Martin recorded five blocks, while senior forward Earl Watson had three. With five blocks, Martin is now second in the program’s all-time block leaders with 239, passing current assistant coach, Antonio Reynolds-Dean (235).
URI’s backcourt allowed only four turnovers on the night, their lowest number in a game this season.
“Half time adjustments for my teammates and I were to play tough defense, take care of the ball, and keep the energy high, letting my offense fall into place,†Terrell said.
The Rams outscored George Mason, 40-26, in the half to finish off an 18-point victory. They now turn the page to a Friday night showdown against the Atlantic-10 conference’s top team.
“After all the challenges our group has had, to be sitting where we are, still being in the mix in conference, facing the conference’s top team at home is big for us,†Hurley said. We hope tonight’s confidence carries over to Friday.â€
Rhode Island welcomes nationally ranked Dayton into the Ryan Center, Friday 7 pm.