Big First Half Helps Rhody Beat VCU, Win Eighth Straight Game
An explosive first half led to a 22-point lead for Rhode Island, helping Rhody knock off VCU 87-65 Friday night. The backcourt trio of Fatts Russell, Jeff Dowtin and Tyrese Martin combined for 65 points as Rhode Island won its eighth game in a row.
Dowtin scored 15 in the first half as Rhode Island used a 17-2 run to take early command. During that run, Dowtin made a 3-pointer from the corner, stole the ball on the defensive and then pulled up for a second consecutive trey to increase the lead to 20 with 5:17 left in the half. Rhody went to the locker room up 49-27.
In the second half, Rhode Island was able to fend off a 22-3 VCU run. Russell was key at the free throw line, making 16-of-18 at the stripe to ensure Rhody kept VCU at arms length. The URI lead got down to nine points, but an an old-fashioned three-point play by Martin help swing the momentum back in Rhody’s favor. Cyril Langevine threw down a dunk with 1:25 remaining to secure a pivotal conference victory.
Inside the Box Score
As a team, Rhody held a 23-7 advantage in fast break points and out-rebounded VCU 38-22.
Rhode Island’s 49 first-half points made up the Rams’ second-best scoring half this season, one shy of the 50 points Rhody scored in the first half vs. Alabama on Nov. 15.
Junior Fatts Russell led all players with 30 points on the night, his 13th game this season scoring 20 or more. He also recorded five assists, four rebounds and three steals.
Russell was 16-of-18 at the foul line, matching the fifth-best single game performance by a Ram. It was the most free throws made by a Rams since Brian Woodward hit 16 against Yale on Jan. 7, 2004.
Sophomore Tyrese Martin finished with 18 points, five rebounds and three assists. He was 7-of-12 from the field with a pair of 3-pointers.
Senior Jeff Dowtin netted 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting with three makes from the perimeter. He also added four rebounds, three assists and one steal.
Senior Cyril Langevine narrowly missed his sixth double-double of the season, finishing the night with 11 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Over the Rams’ last six games, Langevine has combined for 20 assists and 13 steals. Prior to this stretch, the Rhody forward had totaled 18 assists and 13 steals over URI’s first 15 games.
Sophomore Jermaine Harris added seven points, five rebounds and one steal for the Rams.
Up Next
Rhode Island is back in action on Tuesday night when it welcomes UMass to the Ryan Center. The game, which will air nationally on CBS Sports Network, is set to tip off at 7 p.m.
