Feb. 23, 2007

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KINGSTON, R.I. -- In his first career game at the Ryan Center, Darrell Harris saw 15 minutes of action in a six point win over Sacred Heart on Nov. 19, 2005, scoring two points and grabbing four rebounds. It was the first of 20 games that Harris appeared in during the 2005-06 campaign, en route to averaging 1.8 points and 2.1 rebounds in nine minutes per contest.

Suffice to say the statistics from his first season at the University of Rhode Island did not jump off the page.

"At first it was hard, but as it has gone on it has gotten better." Harris said of his first season at the Division I level, after transferring from Cuyahoga Community College. "My confidence was low when I first came here, but by the end of the season last year it was getting higher."

During the Summer of 2006, Harris did what most driven and motivated college basketball players do: he worked tirelessly on improving his game.

"I worked out two or three times a day with my junior college coach. I just ate and slept basketball." said Harris. "I ate a lot and drank a lot of protein shakes. I gained about 15 pounds of muscle. Coach Baron has done a lot for me, helping me put weight on, sending me to shooting camp and just being more prepared mentally,"

When wrapping up his post-game comments following both the Feb. 17 game at home against Charlotte, and again at Xavier on Feb. 21, Baron had a request for the fans of Rhode Island basketball.

"I just hope...they have the Ryan Center rocking." he said. "We play Fordham for Darrell Harris's last regular season home game. I just hope everybody really supports Darrell and the team."

Tomorrow, the Rams (17-11, 10-4 A-10) will honor their lone senior, emotional leader, and emerging fan favorite prior to facing Fordham at 2 p.m. at the Ryan Center. The Senior Day Ceremony for Harris and manager Jeff Kim will take place at roughly 1:45 p.m.

Harris has emerged as not only one of the most improved players on the Rhody roster, but in the Atlantic 10. In the 24 games - 20 in the starting lineup - in which he has appeared in this season, the Cleveland, Ohio native is averaging 7.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, while shooting close to 50.0% from the floor. Solid numbers for the third-best scoring team in the league (77.1).

When he has taken the floor for URI this season, to use an overplayed sports cliche, Harris has left it on the floor. Almost literally. In the final exhibition game of the season against Concordia, Harris toughed it out through eight minutes of play despite suffering from a stomach flu. In the regular season opener versus Stonehill, after being subbed out at the 15:53 mark of the first half, Harris made a dash to the basket. But it didn't count for two points. Harris raced to a trash basket in the tunnel.

Following the game, Baron had the following to say: "He works so hard, I've never had a player work himself into dehydration like he did the other night. I was particularly happy to see him have a good game - he had one of his best games ever here. I told him 'we're going with you,' and he's responded."

Throughout the 2006-07 season, Harris has come up big for the Rams. In a thrilling overtime win over Utah on Dec. 9, it was Harris who came up with the play of the game - a blocked shot of 7-2 Luke Nevill at end of the extra period - sealing a one-point victory. He also added 11 points, four rebounds and three swats in that game. At Ohio, Harris poured in a career-high 15 points and grabbed six rebounds. But arguably one of his best games of the season came at #9 Kansas, where he battled the talented Jayhawks frontline inside and out, recording 12 points and six boards - including five on the offensive glass.

But in one of the biggest games of the season - and in the five-year history of the Ryan Center - at home against Massachusetts on Jan. 24, Harris' season almost came to a grinding halt. With 5:56 left in the first half, Harris - battling for a rebound - suffered a high-ankle sprain and missed rest of the game against the Minutemen, as well as the next four games. Rhode Island was 2-2 in his absence.

"When I went down I was hoping that wasn't it. I didn't want to go out like that," said Harris.

He returned to the URI lineup on Feb. 14 against Saint Louis, checking into the game at the 12:34 mark. Ram fans saluted their senior star with a standing ovation, while the Rhody student section chanted his name.

I was overwhelmed. I was just real happy they acknowledged me." said Harris about his warm reception.

In the last three games since returning from the injury, Harris is averaging 8.0 points and 3.3 rebounds, while shooting 53.3% from the floor and 2-of-6 from the outside.

"I'm going to be sad tomorrow." Harris said. "I never thought there would be an end. After the game, I might just sit on the bench and reflect. But during the game, I've just got to perform, go have a good time, and be happy. I really enjoyed this year. The fans have been great."

His head coach shared similar sentiments.

"I'm really proud of Darrell and all he has accomplished here at URI. I've said numerous times this season, I wish I had two more years with him." Baron said. "Darrell has worked hard on the court, but he's also a good student and he's going to graduate on time. That's very important."

"Fordham is a terrific defensive ballclub, one of the best in the Atlantic 10. The first game at their place was a tough one offensively for us." said Baron. "But they can also score and get up and down the floor. Between Stout and Dunston, they have a very talented inside-out combination. They're deep and very balanced."

Rhody captured a 45-44 decision in the Bronx on Feb. 3. URI leads the all-time series between the two schools by a narrow 25-21 margin. Head coach Jim Baron has an all-time record of 16-8 against Fordham.

This and every Rams game will be broadcast live on WHJJ 920 am and 99.3 The Bridge FM. The audio feed will also be live on the internet via Yahoo! Sports. Steve McDonald and URI Hall of Famer Don Kaull will call all the action for the Rhode Island.

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