Jeremy Sheppard’s Career High and Clutch Defense Bring URI Second Straight Win

A career offensive night from Jeremy Sheppard and Rhode Island’s signature stifling defensive effort led the Rams to a 73-60 win at La Salle Wednesday night.

A back-and-forth first half saw the lead change 12 times. Rhode Island (9-8, 6-4 Atlantic 10) shot 54 percent (14-of-24) in the first 20 minutes, but La Salle scored 16 points off turnovers to keep itself in the game despite hitting just 38 percent of its shots (12-of-32). Rhode Island took control late, scoring the final seven points of the half to take a 37-31 advantage into the break. Sheppard scored 14 points and hit four 3-pointers in the half for URI.

The Rams managed to get a double-digit lead when Malik Martin made a layup with 10:40 to go. La Salle (7-9, 4-5 A-10) trimmed the lead to three points at 56-53, but Rhode Island came right back with a 8-0 run to extend its back to 11 points, 64-53. During the run, URI made six straight free throws, as Antwan Walker, Sheppard and Fatts Russell each went 2-for-2 at the stripe as Rhody took control.

The lead remained in double figures the rest of the way as Rhode Island cruised to its second straight victory.

Inside the Box Score

Senior Jeremy Sheppard scored a career-high 25 points, 14 of which came in the first half. He made his first four 3-point attempts and wound up 5-of-6 beyond the arc.
The five 3-pointers were a single-game high for any Ram this season.
Senior Fatts Russell returned to the lineup and had 14 points and six assists. All six of the assists came in the first half, and Russell scored 11 after halftime.
Sophomore Makhel Mitchell was the third Ram in double figures, scoring 11 points to go with four rebounds and two blocked shots.
Redshirt junior D.J. Johnson had five points and four rebounds off the bench. He had a plus-minus of +9 in 18 minutes.
Rhode Island was 19-of-25 at the free throw line, compared to 8-of-10 for La Salle.
Rhode Island again had the edge on the board, outrebounding La Salle, 32-27.
La Salle scored 30 of its points off turnovers.

Up Next
It’s a quick turnaround for Rhode Island, as the Rams play at Dayton on Saturday, Jan 30. Game time is 4 p.m. on CBSSN.