URI hoping to build on latest win at Duquesne

The final 20 minutes against George Mason on Saturday are what allow the University of Rhode Island to keep the faith. 

This was the Rams at their best. The Patriots were powerless to stop a team that features playmakers at guard and athletic options in the frontcourt. URI ran away for an 80-60 victory at the Ryan Center, committing just 12 turnovers in the process. 

This was the same team that gave the ball away 98 times in its previous five games. The Rams are hoping that that careless group missed the flight to Pittsburgh for a Wednesday matchup against Duquesne. It’s the focused, detail-oriented product URI hopes to put on the floor when it tips off against the reeling Dukes. 

“It’s a big difference,” URI coach David Cox said. “Sometimes it’s a two- or four- or five-point turnaround. I hope the guys were able to see what we’re capable of when we take care of the ball like we’re supposed to.” 

Cox promised a lighter film session in the following days leading up to the latest Atlantic 10 matchup for the Rams. The previous two weeks included examples that needed correcting instead of those that could use repeating. Fatts Russell finished with a pair of team-highs — 18 points and four assists — in 34 turnover-free minutes. 

“It’s been hard just, in general, trying to find chemistry with each other,” Russell said. “It’s a lot of new guys. We didn’t really know each other at first — where we want the ball and things like that.  

“It seems like it’s coming together now. We’re getting a feel for each other. I feel like guys are getting a feel for Coach Cox. It’s time to start getting this thing rolling.” 

URI (7-7, 4-3 A-10) shot a season-high 52.8% against George Mason, the fourth time this season the Rams have eclipsed the 50% mark. They’re just 2-2 in those games, and it’s no coincidence the victories came in the two games in which URI took better care of the ball. The Rams committed a combined 23 turnovers against the Patriots and South Florida while giving the ball away 36 times in losses to Richmond and Arizona State. 

“You turn the ball over, it’s worse than a missed shot actually,” Cox said. “You don’t even get the shot attempt. It’s deflating to a certain degree. It does affect you at the defensive end, unfortunately.” 

Duquesne (3-5, 2-4) is dealing with a different set of difficulties, losing four of its last five games and shedding three rotation regulars since its season opener against Little Rock on Nov. 30. Sincere Carry, Maceo Austin and Lamar Norman Jr. are all away from the team and likely to transfer. Carry was a preseason all-conference selection along with wing standout Marcus Weathers. 

The Dukes have failed to crack 50 points in three of their last four games, including a 62-48 loss at St. Bonaventure on Friday. Michael Hughes finished with 14 points while Weathers chipped in with 12 points and nine rebounds. Tavian Dunn-Martin dished out seven assists but went just 2-for-10 from the field.  

bkoch@providencejournal.com 

On Twitter: @BillKoch25 

URI AT DUQUESNE

Rhode Island; Ht.; PPG; RPG;         Duquesne; Ht.; PPG; RPG; 

Fatts Russell; 5-10; 15.4; 4.4;           Tavian Dunn-Martin; 5-8; 10.8; 2.9; 

Jeremy Sheppard; 6-1; 10.1; 2.1;      Marcus Weathers; 6-5; 13.8; 6.8; 

Allen Betrand; 6-5; 7.3; 1.6;             Toby Okani; 6-7; 3.5; 3.4; 

Antwan Walker; 6-7; 8.9; 6.7;          Chad Baker; 6-7; 5.4; 2.2; 

Makhel Mitchell; 6-10; 8.4; 4.7;       Michael Hughes; 6-8; 8.5; 6.4; 

Key Reserves 

Jalen Carey; 6-3; 6.1; 3.5;                 Tyson Acuff; 6-4; 1.1; 1.0;  

D.J. Johnson; 6-7; 5.6; 3.0;               Ryan Murphy; 6-2; 4.3; 2.3; 

Malik Martin; 6-6; 5.6; 2.9;              Amari Kelly; 6-9; 2.9; 1.6;

THE SCOUTING REPORT 

DUQUESNE (3-5, 2-4 A-10): The Dukes were anemic offensively in a 62-48 loss at St. Bonaventure last time out. Duquesne shot just 35.8% from the field, including 12-for-32 from 2-point range. The Dukes also finished just 3-for-9 at the foul line and put two players in double figures. Hughes led the way with 14 points. ... Duquesne is one of the worst shooting teams in the nation. The Dukes rank in the bottom 50 in both 3-point percentage and free-throw percentage. They connect at just 61.7% from the line, which sits ahead of only George Mason in the conference. ... Hughes is closing in on a third straight year as a top-100 shot-blocker in the nation. He swats 7.1% of opposing attempts, which ranks 78th. ... Duquesne went 6-7 down the stretch last season, starting the slide with a 77-55 loss at the Ryan Center. 

RHODE ISLAND (7-7, 4-3): The Rams controlled the second half while sprinting away from George Mason, 80-60, on Saturday at the Ryan Center. Russell led three in double figures with 18 points while Walker added 17 points and nine rebounds. Mitchell notched his first career double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. ... URI committed just three turnovers in the second half against the Patriots. The Rams are 5-1 this season when they give the ball away on less than 19% of their possessions. ... Russell collected two steals on Saturday and now has 200 in his career. Only Keith Cothran (207) and Tyson Wheeler (205) remain ahead of him in the URI record book. ... The Rams dropped their last trip to Duquesne, 75-72, when they allowed a 19-point lead early in the second half to slip away. 

EXTRA POINTS 

WHERE AND WHEN: Kerr Fitness Center, 6 p.m. SERIES: Rhode Island leads, 34-26. TV/RADIO: ESPN+; WWBB (101.5 FM).   

Bill Koch