The Rhode Island Rams (11-1) beat the Temple Owls (6-5) 85-79 on December 21st at the MassMutual Center as a part of the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic. Sebastian Thomas and Javonte Brown both added double doubles scoring 20 points each, to lift the Rams over the Temple Owls.
1st Half
David Green and Javonte Brown used their size to dominate the first half for the Rams. David Green added 10 points, while Javonte Brown added 7 points and 7 rebounds. The Rams turned the ball over 9 times in the first half and struggled to get in an offensive flow due to the lack of possessions.
The Rams held Temple’s leading scorer Jamal Mashburn Jr. to shoot 1-9 from the field and kept the Owls star in check. Steve Settle for the Owls added 12 points, shooting a perfect 4-4 from three in the 1st half. The Rams only got to the free throw line once in the first, abnormal from their normal offense which ranks in the top percentages in the country.
2nd Half
Rams started the 2nd half much better than they did the first. The Rams started on a 10-0 run with back-to-back buckets from Javonte Brown, then a Sebastian Thomas three to cap off the run. The Owls responded immediately with a 16-5 run, cutting the lead down to 7. For most of the 2nd half, it was the Javonte Brown and David Green show. Brown ended with 21 points and 10 rebounds. David Green ended with 17 points and shot 3-6 from beyond the arc.
As the game winded down, Sebastian Thomas started to dictate the game more, a theme we have seen throughout this season. Thomas added 15 points and 5 assists in the 2nd half, including a perfect 9-9 showing from the free throw line. With 20.8 seconds left in a tie game, Thomas heaved up a three as the shot clock was winding down. Thomas made the 23-footer, got fouled, and made the free throw to put the Rams up 4 late. Another dagger three from Thomas this season, and he is becoming one of the most clutch college basketball players this season.
What’s Next?
The Rams will start conference play on Tuesday, December 31st at UMPC Cooper Fieldhouse at 2 PM.
