WASHINGTON (AP) — Antwan Walker compiled 17 points and 11 rebounds to lead five Rhode Island players in double figures as the Rams narrowly outgunned Duquesne 79-77 in the First Round of the Atlantic 10 Championship on Wednesday at Capital One Arena.
Jeremy Sheppard added 15 points for the Rams while Ishmael Leggett chipped in 12. Makhel and Makhi Mitchell chipped in 10 apiece as well.
"I thought our guys showed resiliency," Rhode Island head coach David Cox said. I" thought [Walker and Sheppard] stepped their game up tremendously, particularly in the second half, on both ends of the floor, which allowed us to get out of here with a victory. This time of the season, it's about advancing and winning and move on. It wasn't the prettiest of performances, but it's a win at the end of the day. We got another opportunity to play tomorrow, and we are really excited about that."
After allowing the Dukes (6-24) to jump out to a four-point halftime lead, Rhody proceeded to kick their defense into gear across the final 20 minutes, holding Duquesne to five fewer field goals and just two triples during that span. The Rams offense took advantage early in the second period, grabbing a lead they would never surrender at the 16:27 mark.
Down the stretch, Sheppard gave Rhode Island a decisive 77-70 edge with 31 seconds left, nailing back-to-back free throws.
"Just need to make the shots," Sheppard said. "It was not my first time in that situation. Anybody on our team could have knocked those shots down, but, of course, I was able to get open to get out and take those shots."
For Duquesne, Primo Spears proved lethal as he paced all scorers behind a 30-point performance with six boards. Kevin Easley Jr. scored a career-high 20 points and had seven rebounds and Jackie Johnson III collected 13 points.
The Dukes set their sights on the late rally as the team managed to close a seven-point gap down to just one despite facing just 31 seconds remaining in regulation. Spears intially hit a pair of free throws before Easley picked up an and-one opportunity following a made lay-up, narrowing the URI lead to just two.
The Rams hit one free throw before Johnson III found space inside for a lay-up, pulling within a single point. Another made free throw from Sheppard followed by a miss gave the Dukes little opportunity to set-up for a game-winner, culminating in a Tyson Acuff halfcourt shot falling short as time expired.
"We just had one of those years," Duquesne head coach Keith Dambrot said. "But the one thing I will say is the last three games, I thought we really battled, and tonight was no exception. We were giving up some size and some strength inside, but we held our own and we gave ourselves a chance to win, and I give our guys a lot of credit for that."