URI Set to Come Off Bye and Face First-Place Loyola Chicago
Sunday’s game will be just the second all time between Rhode Island and Loyola Chicago.
Last season, Rhody won 79-77 at Loyola. The Rams led by as many as 17 points in the second half, but Loyola rallied to eventually tie the game in the final minute following back-to-back 3-pointers by Sheldon Edwards and Braden Norris. URI’s Ishmael Leggett drew a foul with 2.2 seconds to go and made both free throws to lift Rhode Island to the victory.
Loyola Chicago returns six players who saw significant time in last year’s meeting: Norris (15 points, 5 assists), Edwards (16 points, 3 blocks), Jalen Quinn (10 points), Tom Welch (7 points, 3 rebounds), Philip Alston (6 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks) and Ben Scwieger (3 points, 2 rebounds).
By contrast, Rhode Island returns two players who have played against the Ramblers. Sophomore Rory Stewart made his first career start and had eight points and two rebounds, while redshirt sophomore Brandon Weston had five points and four rebounds off the bench.
Loyola Chicago is visiting the Ryan Center for the first time.
WESTON RESPONDING WELL TO SHIFT TO STARTING LINEUP
Redshirt sophomore Brandon Weston has made a significant impact since being inserted into the starting lineup two games ago for Rhode Island
In his first two career starts, Weston has averaged 10.0 points, 4.0 assists and 3.5 rebounds while playing a combined 61 minutes.
Weston has played at least 29 minutes in each of the two games, including a career-high 31:43 in the team’s win over George Washington on Feb. 6, a game in which he had 12 points and five rebounds.
In his first 17 games of the season, Weston played 25 minutes one time.
HOUSE HEATING UP AGAIN
Rhode Island’s leading scorer at 15.3 points per game, junior guard Jaden House has back-to-back 20-point outings for the Rams, getting 23 at George Washington (2/6) and 22 last time out at Massachusetts (2/11).
House has six 20-point performances this season, including a 29-point outburst against UMass on Jan. 13.
He has scored in double figures 18 times, including four of his last five contests.
