Rams Rally, But Fall to Georgia Tech in Orlando

Rhode Island outscored Georgia Tech 43-35 in the second half and closed on an 8-2 push under the final minute of play, but fell, 64-61 to Georgia Tech in the fifth place game at the Orlando Classic.

The Rams led 16-12 with 9:41 left in the first half after a T.J. Buchanan jumper.  But the Yellow Jackets would close the half on a 17-2 run, taking a 29-18 lead into the break.  URI committed 13 first half turnovers, translating into 14 GT points.

Tech would lead by as many as 14 in the game, but Rhody shot 53.8% from the floor to chip away at the deficit.  E.C. Matthews and Hassan Martin each had 10 points in the second frame.

Inside the Box Score and Beyond

• E.C. Matthews again led all scorers with 17 points.  He made 6-of-13 from the floor and 3-of-8 from behind the arc.  He added four assists and two steals in 35 minutes.  
  
• Suffering through early first half foul trouble, Hassan Martin finished with 10 points, a game-high eight rebounds, a blocked shot and two steals.
  
• Jared Terrell was the third Ram in double figures, adding 10 points and two steals.
  
• T.J. Buchanan provided a spark off the bench, with season-highs in scoring (9) and assists (5). The senior made 3-of-4 from the floor and 3-of-4 from the charity stripe.
  
• After committing 13 first half turnovers, Rhody had only three in the second half.  Their defensive effort caused eight Georgia Tech turns in the second half.
  
• The Rams were whistled for a season-high 25 fouls and the Yellow Jackets held a 31-18 advantage at the charity stripe.  Tech was 21-31 from the line.
  

Stat of the Day

34 - Rhode Island scored 34 of its 61 points in the paint.    

What's Next

The Rams travel to Southern Miss on Saturday, Dec. 6.  Game time in Hattiesburg is set for 8 p.m. ET.

The Rhody Sports Network will also carry this - and every game - live on B101 (101.5 FM), with Steve McDonald and Don Kaull.  The pre-game show begins 30 minutes before tipoff.

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