Rhode Island’s (15-6) offense kicks back into gear as four Rams scored double digits points en route to an 88-82 win over Massachusetts (9-12).
Games that end with a point differential of six often have many lead changes, ties and the sort of back-and-forth action that keeps you glued to your seat. This one had three lead changes, five ties and two incredibly massive runs that almost flipped this game on its head.
The Rams came out of the blocks sluggish, missing their first five shots, but quickly turned it around behind 19 first-half points from fourth-year Sebastian Thomas. As a team, the Rams shot 17 of 25 for the rest of the first half and outrebounded the Minutemen 21-18, thanks to the physicality of second-year David Fuchs. Entering this game, UMass led the A-10 in rebounds per game (41) since league play started.
In the first few minutes, Rhode Island struggled to handle the strength of fourth-year Daniel Rivera. It became clear why UMass is a good rebounding team. In response, Rams head coach Archie Miller made an early substitution, putting Fuchs in for fifth-year Javonte Brown. In Fuchs’ first three minutes on the floor, he came down with four rebounds, nearly outrebounding the Minutemen by himself.
Despite the advantage on the boards, the Rams still trailed the Minutemen by eight points seven minutes into the game. However, Rhode Island eviscerated UMass for the next 17:20 minutes, outscoring the Minutemen 48-21. It was a run that started with the Rams down six points and ended with the Rams up by 21. During the run, Rhode Island shot 66.7% on 36 shot attempts, and it seemed as though they had re-entered that early season form that led them to a 9-0 start. Then, as quickly as the Rams offense appeared, it vanished. Then, it was UMass who dominated for the final 14 minutes.
“Immaturity, silliness, a lack of concentration really got the game going in the wrong direction for us,” Miller said. “UMass plays really hard… rebounding is so important against them, and we did well for a good portion of the game, but we couldn’t rebound effectively in the second half.”
It’s well known that head coach Frank Martin and his teams fight, and they fight hard regardless of circumstance. That heart was on full display as Martin’s Minutemen stormed back into the game, erasing a 21-point deficit and getting as close as two points with 1:12 left on the clock.
Yet, when the time called for it, Thomas delivered once again, making three clutch free throws in the final 46 seconds to put the game out of reach. Thomas finished the game with 22 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists to go along with four steals.
“We had timely plays on offense, we made free throws, and we had just enough of a lead to hang on,” Miller said. “If it goes another couple minutes, who knows what’s going to happen out there.”
Thomas’s co-star in the backcourt, fourth-year Jaden House, also delivered. House finished with 18 points and came down with the game-sealing rebound with 22 seconds to go. It was one of six rebounds for the 6-foot-4 guard, who has now started five straight games for the Rams after starting the season as the 6th man.
By the end of the game, the Rams had benefited from great play from all three starting guards. Third-year Jamarques Lawrence continued to break out of an offensive slump while also taking on the responsibility of defending elite scorer Rahsool Diggins. Since the start of conference play, Diggins is averaging more points per game (24.6) than anyone else in the A-10. Diggins still ‘got his’ with 27 points, but Miller was happy with the way Lawrence and his team defended Diggins.
“I thought although Diggins had 27 in this game, I thought he had to work for most of them,” Miller said. “Jamarques was good as he’s been just in terms of both ends of the floor.”
Massachusetts got major second-half contributions from the likes of second-year Jaylen Curry and third-year Daniel Hawkins-Sanford. Both scored 10-plus in the second half and had plus-minuses of 13, while no other Minutemen were above five.
Rhode Island now gets a bye week. To this point, the Rams are the only team in the A-10 to play all nine games. Miller hopes that following the week off, first-year Tyonne Farrell will make his return. Farrell has missed the previous five games after rolling his ankle in a morning shootaround. Miller also believes that if this team is going to start playing consistent basketball, it’ll have to start following this week.
“We have to tweak some things moving forward. There has got to be some changes made in terms of systematically can we help ourselves,” Miller said. “We’re in search of back-to-back wins; it’s for us to see if we can make one go to two.”
Rhode Island will return to the hardwood on Wednesday to take on Fordham (10-11) in Rose Hill Gymnasium. Fordham returns their head coach, Keith Urgo, who missed the previous four games due to a suspension related to recruiting violations. So far this season, Fordham is 2-6 in A-10 play and sits 14th in the A-10 standings. Fordham is the weakest team left on Rhode Island’s schedule and provides the perfect opportunity for the Rams to start stacking wins.
