A Ram-on-Ram battle took place in the empire state to end the Atlantic 10 regular season at one of the most historic gymnasiums in Division I athletics on Saturday.
For the final time in the 2023-24 season, the University of Rhode Island men’s basketball team faced off against Fordham University to close out regular season play. Rhody defeated Fordham 58-50, snapping a seven-game skid dating all the way back to Feb. 6. The two teams faced off in the Bronx, New York, which is home to the Rose Hill Gymnasium – the oldest active gym in Division I athletics. The gym has a capacity of 3,200, the smallest in the A-10, with some seats right along the baseline and behind the benches.
“We kept the crowd out of it,” URI Head Coach Archie Miller said postgame. “I thought part of it was getting stops and not giving them momentum.”
Rhody started the game hot, as they opened up the game with a 6-0 run.
“I thought we got off to a good start early,” Miller said. “[Jaden] House did a good job of getting us started, scoring the ball.”
URI fourth-year guard Jaden House opened the game with four straight points, stemming from a layup and a slam. As the half went on, Fordham closed the gap to get within two, 15-13, with 7:52 remaining in the period.
Instead of cracking under pressure, Rhode Island strung together a 12-0 run at the seven-minute mark, helping them close out the half with a 36-24 lead.
“We were able to make enough plays, especially in the first half,” Miller said. “But defensively it carried us not for just one half tonight.”
The hometown Rams fought back and got within five to begin the second half, with URI leading just 43-38 at the 14-minute mark.
URI then struck back with a 5-0 run before holding Fordham scoreless for over eight minutes. The lengthy stretch of no scoring for the hosts doomed any momentum they had acquired.
Rebounding became a factor to the game for Rhode Island, with an edge on the glass over Fordham, 42-38, at the game’s conclusion. Rhody third-year forward Tyson Brown led the Rams in rebounding with 11, while also adding a team-high 12 points.
“He did a really good job for our group,” Miller said. “Not that you’re expecting anything other than rebounding, but being able to rebound the way he rebounded and playing long minutes [was important]. He really broke through for us and gave us some big plays.”
As the second half progressed, Fordham began to find a rhythm. They sparked a 9-0 run late in the game to cut the URI lead down to 56-50. However, Rhode Island would hold on, adding two more free throws to cap off the 58-50 victory.
“We had a collective effort,” Miller said. “We aren’t perfect by any stretch, but being able to control this game defensively shows the power of being able to be a good team.”
Up next, the Rams will look towards Saint Louis University in the first round of the Atlantic 10 tournament as they kick off their postseason stay at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The game is available to be streamed Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN+.