Rams Struggle in OT Loss to Maine

KINGSTON – The game notes for Sunday afternoon noted that the University of Rhode Island Rams held a 85-13 lead in the series with the Maine Black Bears, including a 46-6 mark at home.

Unfortunately for the Rams, another historical fact was more relevant – That the last time Maine and Rhode Island played, in November 2004, Maine won.

Thanks to four free throws in overtime, Maine won 76-74 against URI. The Rams (1-7) had no answer for the play of 6’7” Alasdair Fraser in the post, as he finished with 23 points, or wings Justin Edwards and Gerald McLemore, who had 21 and 17 points respectively.

Down by two, URI freshman point guard Mike Powell was left to take a contested jumper as time ran down in the overtime. Jamal Wilson got his hand on the rebound, but the buzzer sounded without another Rhody shot.

URI attacked the boards throughout, and finished with 27 offensive rebounds. However, the Rams shot just 33.3 percent, and only 30.8 percent in the second half. URI went 1-for-8 in overtime.

The Rams were also horrible from 3-point range, despite a decent amount of open looks. URI hoisted up 34 shots from long range and only hit eight.

Nikola Malesevic and Wilson led the Rams with 19 each, and Orion Outerbridge and Jonathan Holton each had 14. Only two other Rams scored – Five for Powell, and three for banger Levan Shengelia.

Shengelia got about 13 minutes, since he was one of the few Rams willing to put a body on Fraser. Despite a height advantage at every position, URI finished with just four blocks, three from Outerbridge. Rhody also turned the ball over 18 times even though Maine mostly played zone.

In any measure of efficient play, Maine (3-2) was better. The Black Bears shot 46.4 percent, and went 19-for-22 from the free throw line. Maine scored 21 points off URI turnovers. Maine also hung with URI despite only going about seven players deep.

The Rams will be hard pressed to rebound in their next game, as they host Virginia Tech. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. Wednesday.