The Rams won their third straight contest, winning a road match up against the Blue Knights of Urbana University.
Much like they have in recent games, the Rams offense carried them early and often against the Blue Knights. Outscoring the Blue Knights 41-28 in the first half, it was clear the Rams were clicking on all cylinders. The Blue Knights defense had little answers for the Rams’ attack, as the Rams shot at least 45.71 percent in both halves (including 50 percent for the game).
Where the Rams really established themselves was in the paint. Finding many holes in the Blue Knights’ defense there, the Rams totaled an astounding 46 points there. The Blue Knights could not keep the Rams out of the paint, as they got there at will.
The Blue Knights also had great difficulties keeping the Rams off of the offensive glass. Scoring 18 second chance points greatly aided in the Rams’ victory.
In a game where the margin of victory was just seven points, the Blue Knights could have gotten closer if they were able to protect the paint and prevent the Rams from getting second chance points.
With all of their defensive struggles noted, however, the Blue Knights would not go away. The Rams were unable to keep them out of the paint as well, scoring 36 points to creep back into the game. The Blue Knights’ reserves also chipped in with helping the comeback attempt, scoring 34 points.
After leading by as many as 17 points, two free throws by Jahmere Houze of the Blue Knights cut the Rams’ lead to one at 66-65 with 4:14 left in regulation. They had the Rams on the verge of an epic collapse.
Senior guard Naim Muhammad (11 points) of the Rams followed Houze’s basket with a jump shot of his own that gave the Rams some separation. Junior forward AJ Carr (18 points, 11 rebounds) and junior guard Steffen Davis (14 points) made a layup and three-pointer, respectively, that cemented the road victory.
A layup by DeQuan Abrom cut the Rams’ lead to five with :14 seconds left in regulation, but it was too little too late.
Having a variety of scorers really helped the Rams achieve the road victory. Carr, Davis, and Muhammad had scoring help from teammates sophomore forward Winston Burgess (15 points) and junior guard Skyler Roman (13 points). Muhammad, in addition to his 11 points, had seven rebounds and tied Roman for the most assists in the game, totaling five.
Jahmere Houze of the Blue Knights had his way with the Rams’ defense, as they struggled to limit his scoring all game long. He finished with 21 points. Teammates DeQuan Abrom and Carlas Jackson also contributed 16 and 15 points, respectively.
In spite of their relative success on the offensive end, Urbana’s 46 percent shooting, including 6-of-20 performance from downtown, was not sufficient enough to match the Rams’ offensive output.
Looking to continue their good play, the Rams will square off against Notre Dame College in a road match up at 2 p.m. Monday afternoon.
Anthony Bracken is the Sports Editor of The Picket. He can be reached at abrack02@rams.shepherd.edu