Live Blog: URI in the TicketCity Legends Classic

Friday 9 p.m. – The Rams turned away a scrappy second half effort by Hofstra Friday evening in the nightcap of the TicketCity Legends Classic, winning 85-73.

After holding a double-digit lead for most of the first half, URI saw Hofstra chip it down to six by the half’s conclusion. Hostra got within two in the second, but the Rams pushed the lead back up, thanks to Hofstra turnovers and clutch shooting from seniors Orion Outerbridge and Jamal Wilson.

While some of their shots were ill-advised, they went in. Outerbridge finished with 11 points, eight rebounds, three blocks and a pair of steals. Wilson had 15 points, four rebounds, four assists and a steal.

The Rams turned Hofstra over 17 times, and could have put the game out of reach more comfortably with better efficiency. URI finished 16-for-25 from the free throw line, a 64 percent rate.

For portions of the first half, Hofstra’s Mike Moore singlehandedly kept his team in the game. He hit four shots on four straight possessions, and he led all scorers with 25.

URI freshman Jonathan Holton led the Rams with 20 points, and also chipped in six rebounds, two blocks, an assist and a steal. However, he only played 28 minutes because of concerns about fouls, URI head coach Jim Baron said. Nikola Malesevic had 18.

However, the energizer for the Rams was walk-on Anthony Malhoit. Playing in his first game of the year, he scored seven points and pulled down five rebounds. According to the URI Athletics Department, the seven points was not only a career high for Malhoit, it also surpasses the total of all of his previous URI games combined. They weren’t cheapies either, as he hit a 3-point shot and went inside for a put-back.

With students on break for Thanksgiving and a non-marquee opponent, there were plenty of good seats available for Friday’s game. The paid attendance was 3,220.

We will be at tomorrow’s game as well, so join us at 5 p.m. Saturday as the Rams take on Boston University.

Friday 1 p.m. - Hi folks! As part of our ongoing University of Rhode Island men's basketball coverage this year, I'll be blogging from the TicketCity Legends Classic tournament this weekend at the Ryan Center.

At 5 p.m. tonight, the Rams host Hofstra University. This is followed by a 5 p.m. game Saturday against Boston University, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday against Cleveland State.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below, or follow along with the Cover It Live application. I should be at the Ryan Center around 4:30 p.m. with live coverage. Until then, bookmark the site and check back later.