URI downs La Salle, advances to quarterfinals against VCU

“I thought that was a tremendous all around effort by our team today,” said Head Coach David Cox. “Great job following the game plan and, you know, now we live to see another day.”

Survive and advance. The University of Rhode Island men’s basketball team did just that as they carried their hot streak into the Atlantic 10 tournament and defeated La Salle by a final score of 76-58. URI was in control of the game from the start leading for all but 37 seconds in this one.

It was the winning formula of a Cyril Langevine double-double, Fatts Russell three’s and Jeff Dowtin assists. The three combined for 56 of URI’s 76 total points.

To open the game, it was the Russell to Langevine that got the Rams off and running. Langevine started off with 17 points in the first half while Russell recorded five assists in the first half as well.

“Me and [Langevine] on the pick and roll is lethal,” said Russell. “I read him well and he reads me well, it’s just what we do on the pick and roll.”

Speaking of lethal, Russell continued his scoring tear as he was able to record 19 points in the contest. Russell is coming off a 41-point game vs St. Josephs and a 27-point game last time out against UMass. Russell also tied a career high in assists as he dished out seven.

The real key to the big win was found on the defensive end as URI was able to hold La Salle to 19 of 61 from the field. Also limiting them from three point territory as they only found the bottom of the net seven out of 35 attempts.

Another key was the ability to pass the ball as the Rams recorded 17 assists, seven of which came from Fatts. Dowtin also had four of his own and Langevine added two of his own.

“A key is sharing the ball,” said Dowtin. “Finding the open guy, if someone is open pass the ball and hopefully they can hit the open shot.”

Next up for URI is the number one seeded VCU Rams. The two team split the season series at one game apiece, with VCU winning the most recent battle, 76-42. Tomorrows tip-off is set for 12 p.m. and can be watched on NBCSN or heard over the airwaves on WRIU 90.3 FM.

“We are confident,” said Langevine. “We hot. How else you want to say it, we are hot.”