Statistics can be misleading and so can a team's record. It has been said with enough statistics, one can prove our smallest state Rhode Island is bigger than Texas.
When the Rams ventured to the Cintas Center to take on one of the A-10's better squads with just two wins in conference play it was misleading. Rhode Island defeated UMass and Dayton in those two wins. They are among the highest scoring teams in the A-10 but managed just 17 points in the first half.
"They are among the highest scoring teams in the league and I thought our defense was A plus," Xavier coach Chris Mack said. "They are a great offensive rebounding teams with the athletes they have and that didn't happen tonight."
Xavier didn't score a lot either with just 27 points in the half after a slow start themselves.
"We had to get into a rhythm," Tu Hollway said. "I myself had five turnovers but we were playing good defense. I had to get locked in for the second half."
Holloway was locked in enough to turn in a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. He committed just one turnover in the second half.
Travis Taylor scored 12 points and Mark Lyons scored 10 both coming off the bench.
Brad Redford showed signs of coming out of his season-long shooting slump, hitting two 3-point shots in five efforts.
"When you're not hitting your shots, you have to keep practicing. I've had my teammates to help keep me up," said Redford, who missed all of last season with a knee injury.
Billy Baron, the son of coach Jim Baron, led the Rams and all scorers with 22 points. Orion Outerbridge chipped in 13 points.
How can a team look so good against UMass (17-6, 6-3 A-10) and Dayton (15-8, 4-5 A-10)?
"We hit our shots against UMass and Dayton and that helped our rebounding and defense. We came out tonight and didn't hit our shots. Xavier took advantage," Jim Baron said.
Rhode Island (5-20, 2-8 A-10) won at Dayton and beat UMass on its home court in consecutive games. Now they have dropped two in a row to Temple (18-5, 7-2 A-10) and Xavier (16-8, 7-3 A-10).
Rhode Island will play Charlotte on Saturday, while Xavier has a showdown in Philadelphia against Temple.
Cincinnati Sports News and Commentary
About Me
- Gary Schatz
- I am a freelance writer. I've covered the Cincinnati Reds, Bengals and others since 1992. I have a background in sales as well. I've sold consumer electronics, advertising and consumer package goods for companies ranging from the now defunct Circuit City to Procter&Gamble. I have worked as a stats operator for Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, the College of Mount St. Joe and Colerain High School.
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