URI Earns Road Win Over George Washington Behind Montgomery’s Career-High 30 Points

University of Rhode Island Press Release

Rhode Island Starters
Kortright, House, Brown, Weston, Fuchs

George Washington Starters
Edwards, Buchanan, Hutvchinson, Bishop IV, Akingbola

How it Happened
Rhode Island surged past George Washington in the second half behind a career night from Zek Montgomery and a strong defensive effort, winning 88-65 Tuesday night. Montgomery had  a career-high 30 points and Jaden House added 23 as the Rams (11-12, 5-5 Atlantic 10) evened their record in Atlantic 10 play.

George Washington (14-8, 3-6 A-10) scored the first seven points of the game and held the lead throughout the first half. However, Rhode Island kept fighting back. After falling behind by 10 points midway through the half, the Rams kept chipping away. Zek Montgomery had 11 points off the bench in the period, helping URI to a 15-7 edge in bench points. Brandon Weston added eight in the opening half as the Rams clawed back to within two points at the break.

Rhode Island stormed out of halftime with a 12-2 run that featured five points each from Montgomery and Tyson Brown. By the first media timeout, the Rams were up 47-39. The lead continued to grow, reaching 13 points at 65-52 following a pair of Weston free throws with 8:01 to go.

URI never led the lead get back below 10 points, cruising to the win.

Inside the Box Score

• With a 5-5 conference record, Rhode Island has matched its league win total from a year ago.
• The Rams had a 26-5 advantage in points off turnovers.
• Guard Zek Montgomery scored a career-high 30 points and helped Rhody to a 34-8 edge in bench points.
• Montgomery was 11-of-14 from the field, 3-for-5 from the arc and 5-for-5 at the free throw line. He also had five rebounds and two steals.
• Guard Brandon Weston made his first career start for Rhode Island. He responded with 12 points, five rebounds and three assists while making all six of his free throw attempts.
• The starting five of Luis Kortright, Jaden House, Tyson Brown, David Fuchs and Weston marked the seventh different combination for URI this season.
• Guard Jaden House finished with 23 points, 17 of which came in the second half.
• Guard Luis Kortright had a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. He also had five assists and three steals.
• Forward Tyson Brown had eight points and eight rebounds.
• After George Washington made four of its first nine 3-point shots, the Revolutionaries were just 1-for-20 for the rest of the game.
• Rhode Island was 18-for-22 at the free throw line, compared to 10-for-19 for GW.

What’s Next
Rhode Island is back on the road to play at Massachusetts on Sunday, Feb. 11. Game time is 2 p.m. on the USA Network.