Rams, Nittany Lions Face off in Philadelphia on Friday Night

Nov. 27, 2008

URI/Penn State gamenotes | Listen Live

PHILADELPHIA -- On Friday night, Rhode Island will take on Penn State in the third game of the 2008 Hoop Group Philly Classic.

The Rams (4-1) and Nittany Lions (5-0) will resume their rivalry at 6:30 p.m. at the Palestra, From 1982-91, Rhode Island and Penn State were members of the Atlantic 10 Conference. Rhody will face either Villanova or Towson on Saturday night.

This will be the 22nd meeting between the two schools on the hardwood, with Penn State holding a narrow 11-10 lead in the all-time series. The Nittany Lions captured the last meeting, 83-65, on Jan. 17, 1991 in State College, Pa.

Last time out, the Rams picked up a 94-72 victory at home over Hartford. The game was also part of the Philly Classic tournament. Keith Cothran led five Rams in double-digits, with 22 points. He was 9-of-13 from the floor. Jimmy Baron (18 points) connected on six 3-pointers, while Kahiem Seawright and Lamonte Ulmer added 11 points apiece. Delroy James added 10.

It was URI's second consecutive 20-point victory and the third game in a row in which the team put 85 or more points on the scoreboard.

So far this season, head coach Ed Dechellis and his squad are off to the program's best start in nine years, with an unblemished 5-0 mark. Last time out on Nov. 25, Penn State earned an 85-73 victory over Penn at the Palestra. Stanley Battle and Talor Pringle scored 25 and 24 points, respectively, to lead the Nittany Lions.

Battle is the team's top scorer, checking in at 21.2 points per game. The sophomore guard is connecting on 56.9% of his shots from the floor, including 51.6% from the perimeter. He also leads the squad in assists (4.0 apg) and ranks second in rebounding (5.2 rpg). Pringle (16.0 ppg) and Jamelle Cornley (13.8) are also averaging double-digits in the scoring column. Cornley is the team's top rebounder, at 8.6 boards per outing.

For the season, Penn State is averaging 76.6 points per game and shooting close to 50.0% from the floor. Defensively, PSU is holding opponents to just 37.1% shooting and 57.0 points per game.

Steve McDonald and Don Kaull will broadcast the game live on the Rams Radio Network (WHJJ 920 AM; WJZS 99.3 FM), beginning with the pre-game show at 6 p.m.