Men's Basketball
Rhode Island Travels to Monmouth For Thursday Night Matchup
Nov. 19, 2008
URI/Monmouth gamenotes | Listen live
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. -- The University of Rhode Island travels to the Jersey Shore to take on Monmouth on Thursday night in the first game of the 2008 Hoop Group Philly Classic. It marks the first time the Rams and the Hawks have met on the hardwood.
Dating back to the 1949-50 season, Rhode Island is 55-58 (.487) all-time in in-season tournament play. Last season, URI captured the team titles at the Glenn Wilkes Classic (Nov. 9, 16-18, 2007) and the Islander Invitational (Dec. 28-29, 2007).
Last time out, the Rams nearly pulled off an upset at #8/5 Duke, dropping an 82-79 decision at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Rhody led nearly the entire game before the Blue Devils used an 5-2 push to close out the win down the stretch.
Jimmy Baron connected on 8-of-10 from beyond the arc, to lead all scorers with 24 points. Delroy James added a career-high 21 points, hitting his first eight field goal attempts, to go along with eight rebounds.
Monmouth enters tomorrow's game with an 0-2 mark. Head coach Dave Calloway's squad dropped a 72-69 decision at Florida Atlantic on Nov. 14 before losing, 80-61, at FIU on Nov. 17.
The Hawks are led offensively by R.J. Rutledge's 14.5 points per game. Travis Taylor checks in at 13.0 points per outing. Six players average better than 6.0 points per game. Dutch Gailey is the team's top rebounder, at 8.5 boards per game. Monmouth is yielding 76.0 points and allowing opponents to shoot 48.6% from the floor.
Steve McDonald and Don Kaull will provide the live call of the action on the Rams Radio Network (WHJJ 920 AM, WJZS 99.3 FM).

