SOUTH KINGSTON, R.I. – Rhode Island’s first game after final exams was certainly not picture-perfect. The Rams’ 64-52 win over New Hampshire wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t textbook, and it was aided by the opponent’s best player losing his head in the heat of the battle. But it’s a start towards what will be a key stretch in more ways than one.
A lot of the first half was vintage Runnin’ Ram basketball, as they forced 16 turnovers that they cashed in for 14 points, many coming from the press. Early on, UNH did a reasonably good job of breaking the press, and they handled the Ram halfcourt defense well even though it was very active. The Wildcats moved the ball well and got some penetration that gave them scoring chances. Once the Rams forced turnovers, the game changed and they opened up as much as a 16-point lead.
The Rams only forced one turnover in the second half, but they didn’t press nearly as much as they had a comfortable lead for most of the second frame. New Hampshire never got within single digits until about three-quarters of the way through the second half.
It didn’t help that leading scorer Ferg Myrick got ejected late in the first half after continuing to talk to the referee after some pushing and shoving with URI forward Ben Eaves started to get out of hand. That earned him a second technical to go with the matching ones called on both players initially. Myrick had 10 points in 12 minutes and got in the lane a few times to make things happen before the ejection.
A bright spot for the Rams was on the glass, which the coaching staff has cited multiple times as a place of concern. The Rams out-rebounded the Wildcats 38-36, including 13 offensive rebounds that turned into 11 second-chance points.
“One of our goals before every game is to out-rebound teams, because we feel if we get rebounds, we’re going to run,” said Eaves. “I think that’s paramount for every game we play.”
The Rams could get better in that department soon. Orion Outerbridge, who sat out the first semester due to academics, will return on December 30 against Boston College. Jamal Wilson, who has been sidelined all season with a broken foot, will be X-rayed on Monday and might not be far away from returning. That would give them another rebounder on the wing to go with the frontcourt addition.
“Getting two more guys gives us two more bodies that allows us to lengthen our playing rotation,” head coach Jim Baron said.
Outerbridge will be the most likely to be a difference-maker. He’s more experienced and adds a good deal of length. In addition, rust won’t be a major factor, as he has practiced with the team all season although there is a difference between practice speed and game speed.
“He’s coming back ready to play, and we need him to play,” said senior forward Delroy James, who had 22 points and nine rebounds on Saturday. “He’s in shape, he’s doing all he can do to get back on the court and help us in a big way. I can’t wait until he comes back, to tell you the truth.”
Added Eaves: “He rebounds the ball well, he runs the floor, he’s a high-energy guy, he fits our system perfectly.”
It comes at a good time because Atlantic 10 play is right around the corner, but that’s not all. They next host Lafayette, a contender in the Patriot League, then come back after Christmas to host a Boston College team that has been better than expected. They start 2011 with a trip to Florida to take on the Gators, then begin Atlantic 10 play with Xavier at home and a trip to Richmond.
As concerned as Baron has been about rebounding, he’s been just as concerned about bench play. Last year that was a clear area of strength, and with the way they play depth is a requirement. That hasn’t been a strength thus far, but it could be once Outerbridge and Wilson return.
“Everybody’s got to step up, especially our bench,” Baron said.
Soon, the Rams will have more capable bodies who can step up. The added depth will come at a good time, and after winning a game like Saturday’s where they didn’t play at their usual pace or score like they usually do, they have started the post-exam period on a good note.
