The Ocean State rivalry was again renewed as Providence Men’s Basketball traveled to play the Rhode Island Rams. Coming into the game, the Rams and the Friars were both on a one-game skid. The Rams recently lost to Boston College 53-49 in a close battle and The Friars lost to TCU 75-62.

Providence holds an all-time 75-56 advantage over the Rams in this rivalry. The Rams were looking for some revenge, last year’s game they lost to Providence 66-52.


Setting the stage.


NBA Superstars Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry were in attendance for today’s action.


Rhode Island and Providence both dawned their 1990s and 1980s throwback jersey’s for today’s action.


Starters


Rhode Island


G #2 Brayon Freeman
G #10 Ishmael Leggett
G #12 Malik Martin
F #1 Abdou Samb
F #21 Josaphat Blau


Providence

G #4 Jared Bynum
G #10 Noah Locke
G #22 Devin Carter
F #5 Ed Croswell
F #23 Bryce Hopkins

Thomas M. Ryan Center, Kingston RI


HALF ONE


Rhode Island and Providence went back and forth for the first 10 Minutes of this game, exchanging multiple lead changes. At the 13:33 mark of the first half, Rhode Island led 14-11 and was shooting precisely 60% from the field. Providence and Rhode Island continued to trade punches throughout the first half. Rhode Island’s Abdou Samb led the way for the Rams this half, but Providence withstood the Ram’s early rush.

In the last 5:06 of the first half Providence went on a 17-2 run culminating with a Bryce Hopkins buzzer-beater to end the half.


Providence leads 43-27.

HALF TWO


With 17:38 remaining, Rhode Island started to claw back into this game a little bit. The score was Rhode Island: 34 Providence 49. Rhode Island continued to try to get back into this game, but with everything that Rhode Island threw at Providence, they came back and matched it. With 8:33 remaining Jared Bynum took the life out of the Ryan Center with a dagger three-pointer that put Providence up by 14.

Rhode Island struggled all game defensively to keep up with Providence.

The Rams will look forward to putting this game behind them and moving on to Wednesday’s game VS. Brown.


End of Game
Rhode Island: 74
Providence: 88


POSTGAME


At the Podium: Head Coach Ed Cooley.


“URI Played hard; I hope people come back and support the Rams.”


“We are excited about the win in a hostile environment.”


“Stats-wise, Bryce played well; what you are seeing from Bryce is he is learning how to be a focal point, the best Bryce Hopkins has yet to be seen.”


At the Podium: F #23 Bryce Hopkins.


“Coach wanted us to make it a point to rebound; I just wanted to crash the glass as much as possible.”


At the Podium: Head Coach Archie Miller.


“Disappointing night. I can’t say enough about our crowd and our fans; this is what I want it to be like every game.”


“We weren’t physical enough in this game; we were not tough enough. To give up 88 points is disappointing.”


“For us, we are going to have to eat this one. Tonight we didn’t have our best stuff, particularly on defense”