URI Rams Beat Concordia In Exhibition Opener

KINGSTON, R.I. — Akeem Richmond led four players in double figures as Rhode Island cruised to an 89-50 win over Concordia (Que.) in the first of two exhibition tuneups.

Ryan Brooks added 15 points, five rebounds and two blocked shots in 24 minutes of play.

Rhody trailed 12-10 at the 14:06 mark, after Concordia's Decee Krah knocked down a 3-pointer. From there, it was all URI, as the Runnin' Rams went on a 21-2 run over the next five minutes of play. A Marquis Jones trifecta with 9:02 left in the half made it 31-14, capping off the run.

Jones connected on another 3-pointer as time expired in the first half, making it 48-25 at the break. The Runnin' Rams connected on 58.1% (18-31) of their shots from the floor, including 7-of-11 from beyond the arc.

In the second half, the story was the Rhody defense as it held Concordia to just eight field goals and 25.8% shooting from the field. A Blake Vedder alley-oop dunk, from a Daniel West pass, gave URI its largest lead of the game – 41 points – at 89-48 with 1:14 left in regulation.

Delroy James added 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals in a team-high 28 minutes. Jones also had 14 points, connecting on 4-of-5 from 3-point land.

All nine Rhode Island players who played in the game scored. Nikola Malesevic added nine points, while Vedder and West had six points apiece, Ben Eaves five and Anthony Malhoit two.   

For the game, Rhode Island shot 52.4% (33-63) from the floor and 11-of-23 from beyond the arc. The Rams dished out 20 assists to just 10 turnovers, while blocking 12 shots and notching nine steals.

The Runnin' Rams close out exhibition play on Wedneday, Nov. 4 when they host Rhode Island College at 7 p.m. at the Thomas M. Ryan Center.