The Billikens lost a heartbreaker at Rhode Island today in front of just 4,000 fans as Billy Baron, son of Rhode Island Coach Jim Baron, hit a jumper with four seconds left to give the Rhode Island Rams a 64-62 victory over the Billikens — their sixth victory this season and third in the A-10. The Billikens were lead by Dwyane Evans’ 14 points and 12 rebounds. Kwamain Mitchell chipped in 12 points, and Cody Ellis and Brian Conklin each contributed 10 points for the Billikens. Senior Orion Outerbridge, who poured in 18 points, and Billy Baron, who chipped in 13 including the game-winner, led the Rams.
The Billikens and the Rams entered this game with two very different streaks going. The Rams had lost their previous five games and were bringing up the rear in the A-10, whereas the Billikens came in winners of six straight and just .5 games behind Temple for first place in the A-10 Conference.
The game started well for the Billikens, who led by double digits for the majority of the first half, until a spurt by Rhode Island brought them to within 6 to end the half. The second half was much closer than the first half, with the Billikens unable to pull away from Rhode Island. With 2:52 remaining and the Billikens leading by 4, 62-58, Rhode Island scored the final 6 points of the game to snap the Billikens six-game winning streak.
Even though the Billikens were able to hold the rams to just 10 percent shooting from three, they were still able to shoot 41 percent for the game by shooting just under 50 percent from inside the arc. The Rams held the Billikens to just 36 percent shooting overall and just 10-29 on three-point attempts. The rams 2-3 zone was able to control the Billikens in the second half, surrendering just 25 points to the Billikens and holding them to 7 points below their season average of 69.
Because the Billikens had so many three-point attempts, they were unable to get to the foul line often, taking just 10 foul shots and making 8 compared to Rhode Island’s 25 attempts and 19 baskets, which no doubt enabled the Rams to keep the game close until Billy Baron hit the shot with 4 seconds left to give them the victory. The other big advantage for Rhode Island was play in the paint. The Rams out-rebounded the Billikens by a 43-33 margin and out-scored them 35-22 on points in the paint. While the Billikens are not a dominant rebound team, averaging a hair under 33 per game, it is disappointing to give up 43 rebounds, including 12 offensive rebounds, to a team that is last in the conference.
With the loss, the Billikens are now trail temple by 1 game with two games remaining. The Billikens’ next game is Tuesday, Feb. 28 at home against Xavier, where they will try to gain some momentum heading into A-10 and probable March Madness tournament play, in the annual whiteout game. The game is also the final home game for the Billikens this season. The Billikens end the regular season March 3 at Duquesne before heading to Atlantic City for the A-10 tournament starting March 9.
