Rhody Drops Slugfest To Western Kentucky

Rhode Island Starters
Fatts Russell, Jeremy Sheppard, Antwan Walker, Malik Martin, Makhel Mitchell

Western Kentucky Starters
Josh Anderson, Taveion Hollingsworth, Kenny Cooper, Carson Williams, Charles Bassey

How it Happened
A game of runs did not end in Rhode Island’s favor, as the Rams fell, 68-65, at Western Kentucky Sunday afternoon.

Western Kentucky (5-2) scored the first nine points of the game as Rhode Island (3-4) missed its first six shots and had four turnovers in the opening 5:22. D.J. Johnson hit a 3-pointer 5:37 into the game to get the Rams in the board, though Western Kentucky responded with a bucket to open an 11-3 lead.

After starting 1-of-10 from the floor, the Rams hit eight of their next 11 shots. Fatts Russell got Rhode Island going with a steal and coast-to-coast drive for a layup. The play started a 6-0 run that also included a Jermaine Harris drive and a pretty turnaround fade-away baseline jumper from Jalen Carey to get back within two points.

The momentum continued for the Rams. Antwan Walker scored off a feed from Jeremy Sheppard, and Carey hit back-to-back shots, the latter coming on a steal and layup that gave URI its first lead, 21-20, with 6:17 left in the first half.

Things turned cold for the Rams, as they endured a stretch in which they made just 1-of-8. Western Kentucky capitalized, using an 11-1 run to get back to a 33-25 lead. On the final possession of the half, Makhel Mitchell hit a baby hook for URI to send the team into the break down by six points.

Russell scored the first five points of the second half to pull Rhody within one point. However, Western Kentucky ran off nine straight points, pulling ahead by 10 points, 42-32, on a Carson Williams layup.

Antwan Walker hit a 3-pointer to slow the run. The Rams continued to fight back, taking a 52-51 lead on an Ishmael Leggett with 7:22 to go. After a WKU basket, a dunk from Johnson had Rhody up 54-53 again. The Hilltoppers responded with a 7-2 run to pull back in front, 60-56, but Johnson dropped a 3-pointer to make it a one-point game with 2:42 to go.

After a layup by Jordan Rawls and two free throws by Taveion Hollingsworth, Rhode Island was down by five with 1:35 remaining. Russell got fouled shooting a 3-pointer and made all three attempts. On the defensive end, Makhel Mitchell blocked a shot that led to a Russell layup, tying the game, 64-64, with 47 seconds left.

The defense forced a missed on WKU’s next possession, but Charles Bassey got the offensive rebounds and second-chance basket to make it 66-64. Rhody drew a foul with five seconds to go, but it missed 1-of-2 free throws and had to foul. Two free throws from Hollingsworth provided the winning margin for Western Kentucky.

Inside the Box Score
Western Kentucky’s Charles Bassey was strong on both ends of the floor, finishing with 13 points, nine rebounds and five blocked shots.
He was the primary reason WKU had a 38-28 edge on the boards.
The biggest difference in the game came at the free throw line. Western Kentucky was 21-of-26, while URI was 11-of-15. Both teams shot 42 percent from the floor.
The teams combined for 32 turnovers. Both sides committed 11 turnovers in the first half.
Redshirt junior D.J. Johnson led Rhode Island with a career-high 16 points which came on 6-of-7 shooting. Johnson was 4-of-5 from 3-point range.
Senior Fatts Russell was the only other Ram in double digits, finishing with 14 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Russell moved into a tie for 10th in program history in assists, tying Parfait Bitee (2004-08). Russell now has 331.
It was the third game this season Russell has had at least three steals.
Freshman Ishmael Leggett and redshirt sophomore Jalen Carey each scored seven points off the bench.
Sophomore Makhi Mitchell left the game at 13:02 of the first half with an injury and did not return.
Up Next
Rhode Island begins conference play when it hosts Davidson in the first Atlantic 10 game of the season. The game will air on ESPNU with a tip time of 7:05 p.m.