Florida Gulf Coast Edges URI Men’s Basketball, Rams Go 1-2 On Florida Trip

University of Rhode Island Press Release

Rhode Island Starters
Jeremy Sheppard, Ishmael Leggett, Makhi Mitchell, Makhel Mitchell, Ishmael El-Amin

Florida Gulf Coast Starters
Dakota Rivers, Caleb Catto, Cyrus Large, Tavian Dunn-Martin, Kevin Samual

How it Happened
A turnover-filled second half combined with hot perimeter shooting by Florida Gulf Coast caused the downfall for Rhode Island in a 67-66 loss Tuesday night.

A crisp, clean first half allowed the Rams (4-2) to build an 11-point lead by halftime. Sparked once again by Antwan Walker (11 points on 5-of-6 shooting), Rhode Island turned the ball over just three times in the first 20 minutes. Defensively, URI forced 10 turnovers and had a 12-0 edge in points off turnovers.

The second half was a different story. FGCU (3-2) turned Rhody over 11 times and had a 15-1 edge in points off turnovers. After hitting just 4-of-15 from long range in the first half, the Eagles made 7-of-11 in the final 20 minutes. Tavian Dunn-Martin – who led all scorers with 26 points – was 2-for-4 and Caleb Catto (14 points) made all four of his attempts from deep.

Despite falling behind by as many as six points, Rhode Island battled back to retake the lead in the final minute. A Makhi Mitchell dunk put URI up 64-63 with 33 seconds to go. Dunn-Martin responded with a high-arching layup with 22 seconds left to put FGCU back in front, but Malik Martin made two free throws with seven seconds remaining as Rhode Island took a 66-65 lead.

Dunn-Martin drew a foul with three seconds remaining and came through again, hitting both shots for the fourth lead change in 30 seconds. A last-second 3-point attempt by Mitchell hit the back of the rim and fell away, giving the Rams a loss in their first road game of the year.

Inside the Box Score

• Center Makhel Mitchell had a team-high 16 points to go with five rebounds, two blocks, two assists and two steals.
• Forwards Antwan Walker and Makhi Mitchell also scored in double figures. Walker finished with 13 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Mitchell had 12 points and six boards.
• Guard Mailk Martin was the fourth Ram in double figures, scoring 10 to go with six rebounds, two assists and two steals.
• Guard Sebastian Thomas gave the team strong minutes off the bench. In seven minutes, he had a team-best plus-minus of +5 while providing three points and an assist.
• Despite shooting 25-of-51 overall from the floor (49 percent), the Rams struggled from deep, making 3-of-15.
• Rhody had the edge in points in the paint (42-18) and bench scoring (26-14). FGCU had an 11-3 edge in 3-point baskets.

Up Next
Rhode Island returns to the friendly confines of the Ryan Center Saturday afternoon when it welcomes Georgia State to town. Tip time is 4:04 p.m. on ESPN+.