Friday, January 22, 2016

Men's Basketball: George Washington 62 Rhode Island 58

Tyler Cavanaugh (#34) double-doubled again

From our friends at GW Athletics...

GW Men's Basketball Comes Back for 62-58 Win Over Rhode Island

Colonials erase 18-point deficit to improve to 15-4

Tyler Cavanaugh turned in a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, Patricio Garino added 10 points and the George Washington men's basketball team overcame Rhode Island for a 62-58 win Friday afternoon at the Charles E. Smith Center.

After trailing by as many as 18 points in the first half, GW put together its biggest comeback win in 10 years - matching an 18-point comeback win over UNC Wilmington in the first round of the 2006 NCAA Tournament - to improve to 15-4 overall and 4-2 in the Atlantic 10.

Patricio Garino (#13) gives GW a 53-52 lead with 4:13 left

GW dominated the boards to the tune of a 39-26 advantage, converting 11 offensive rebounds into a 13-2 advantage in second-chance points. The Colonials bench also provided a 15-2 punch, with Paul Jorgensen scoring seven, including 5-of-6 free throws.

Paul Jorgensen (#3) added 7 points off the bench

The Colonials made the most of their opportunities at the free throw line, connecting on 25-of-30 attempts (.833) while Rhode Island was just 6-of-11 (.545). Kevin Larsen had nine points and eight rebounds, and Yuta Watanabe knocked down 6-of-6 at the line and finished with eight points.

Yuta Watanabe (#12) scored 8 points (6-6 from the charity stripe)

Trailing 30-12 with 7:38 left in the first half after Rhode Island came out red hot, GW struck for an 11-0 run and closed the half on a 17-4 spurt to draw within 34-29 at halftime.

Jordan Roland (#14) connects on 1st half jumper

Joe McDonald, returning after missing the last two games with an eye injury, spurred the run with a tough three-point play in which he endured contact in the paint to convert a layup and then hit the free throw. The senior stuffed the stat sheet with seven points, five boards, three assists, two steals and a block.
Nothing easy for "stat stuffer" Joe McDonald (#10)

In the second half, GW locked down on defense, holding Rhode Island to 32 percent shooting after the Rams hit 53.8 percent in the first half.

Colonials Head Coach Mike Lonergan

The Colonials took their first lead since it was 4-2 when Larsen made a three-point play for a 48-46 advantage with 6:39 to play. Rhode Island, though, responded with a 6-0 run to go back in front 52-48 on a 3-pointer from Kuran Iverson.

Blizzard? What blizzard?

After Larsen hit a pair of free throws, Garino converted GW's third three-point play of the game to put the Colonials back ahead, 53-52. Rhode Island tied it up at 55 with 2:00 to play, but Garino hit a clutch jumper to put GW ahead for good as McDonald got a steal at the other end and the Colonials hit their free throws down the stretch.

Colonial Challenge... Winning shot!

Jarvis Garrett led Rhode Island (11-8, 3-3 A-10) with 15 points while Jared Terrell had 14 and Iverson added 13.

Hassan Martin (#12) scored 6 points with a game-high 2 blocks

The Colonials are back in action on Thursday, Jan. 28, when Richmond visits for a 9 PM tip which will be televised on ESPNU.

Don't cry for me Argentina URI Head Coach Dan Hurley

Click here for today's box score.