LEWISTON, N.Y. (AP) - Kahiem Seawright scored 20 points in the
second half - including all 10 for Rhode Island during its critical
run - and the Rams beat Niagara 68-62 in an NIT first-round game on
Tuesday night.
Jimmy Baron scored 20, including hitting six free throws in the
final 40 seconds, for the sixth-seeded Rams (23-10), who snapped a
two-game losing streak. Seawright finished with 23 points for the
Rams, who are making their 13th NIT appearance and improved to 7-6
in tournament-opening games.
Rhode Island plays Penn State in the second round.
Anthony Nelson scored 14 for the poor-shooting Purple Eagles,
who finished 21-of-59 from the field, and 7-of-27 in 3-point
attempts. Third-seeded Niagara (26-9) had a seven-game home win
streak snapped.
The Purple Eagles were also denied an opportunity to match a
school record for victories, and dropped to 9-13 in making their
13th NIT appearance. Niagara was coming off a 77-70 loss to Siena
in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament championship
game last week.
Seawright, who added 10 rebounds, was the difference for a Rhode
Island team that spent the past week still stewing over a 78-74
loss to Duquesne in the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament
quarterfinals last week.
The game was decided with 38 seconds left when Niagara's Bilal
Benn was charged a technical foul for touching the ball out of
bounds in attempting to deny an inbound pass. Baron hit the two
free throws, putting Rhode Island up 62-57. Baron was then fouled
on the Rams' next possession, and once again hit two free throws to
extend the lead to seven.
Otherwise, the Rams took control early in the second half -
after they trailed by as many as nine in the first.
With Rhode Island trailing 41-34, the Rams gained momentum
courtesy of Seawright, who sparked a 10-2 run by hitting a free
throw after he missed the first attempt.
The senior forward was then nearly perfect, scoring 10 straight
over a span of 2:42 that put the Rams ahead 43-41 with 12:20
remaining. Seawright hit a tough 16-footer from the baseline and
completed a three-point play after being fouled on drive to the
basket.
Niagara recovered briefly, and regained the lead - 46-45 - when
Rob Garrison hit a 3-point shot.
The Rams responded and took the lead for good when Jason Francis
scored on a putback after Keith Cothran missed a 3-point attempt.
Rhode Island's 23 wins are the third most in school history, and
the most since the program went 25-9 in 1997-98.
Tyrone Lewis added 13 points for Niagara, but went 4-of-17 in
field goal attempts and missed 11 of 14 3-point shots.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)