Here’s how Rhode Island basketball topped UMass to hit bye week on high note

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SOUTH KINGSTOWN — Avoiding a third straight conference loss was the only goal for the University of Rhode Island men.

That would have left a rancid taste with the Rams entering their Atlantic 10 bye week. The midpoint of the league schedule coincides with some time off, and URI just about got the job done against old rival Massachusetts.

Sebastian Thomas and Jaden House connected on some critical free throws inside the final 46.6 seconds to stop the Minutemen from completing their rally. The Rams crossed the line with an 88-82 victory at the Ryan Center, one that came after nearly squandering a 21-point lead with 16:27 to play.

More: Here’s how Rhode Island women’s basketball handled Loyola Chicago on Sunday

Jaden House. URI vs. UMass, Jan. 29, 2025

“We had just enough of a lead to hang on,” URI coach Archie Miller said. “If it goes another couple minutes who knows what’s going to happen out there. I’m just really happy for our group.”

Daniel Hankins-Sanford swished a jumper from the left elbow to make it an 82-80 game with 1:12 left. It was the first time UMass had cut its deficit to a single possession since late in the first half, and URI seemed in jeopardy. Thomas drew a foul at the other end and notched his first points of the second half at the ideal time.

“I told them it was a must-win situation for us,” Miller said. “You never want to drop two in a row in the league. Anything more than two starts to get a little sticky, and we responded tonight.”

The Minutemen used some dominance on the glass to make their run, converting 19 offensive rebounds into 23 points on second chances. Jayden Ndjigue’s layup was the last of them, cutting the UMass deficit to 78-73. Hankins-Sanford sandwiched a 3-pointer and his jumper around two free throws from Jaylen Curry, and the Rams were scrambling in front of 4,664 fans.

More: Providence basketball’s Bryce Hopkins is done for the season; what happens next?

Cam Estevez. URI vs. UMass, Jan. 29, 2025

“We couldn’t…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/heres-rhode-island-basketball-topped-125900498.html

Author : The Providence Journal

Publish date : 2025-01-30 12:59:00

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