KINGSTON, R.I. (AP) (Dec. 18) - Forward Ryan
Andrick scored 20 points, including the game-winning basket in the final seconds, as
Akron slipped past Rhode Island 64-62 in a non-league contest.
Rhode Island (3-7) dropped its fifth straight
despite Tip Vinson's 19-point effort and 17 points and 11 rebounds by Luther Clay.
Akron's bench was a major factor, outscoring
Rhode Island's reserves 20-0.
Akron (6-2) led by as many as seven early in the
first half before Rhode Island rallied to take a 31-25 lead with 4:43 left. Akron then went on a 9-2 run to go into the break ahead, 34-33.
After Akron took a 51-44 lead with 11:20
remaining, Rhode Island's Tavorris Bell scored 10 of his team's next 14 points and the Rams tied it at 58 with 4:57 remaining.
After trading the lead three times down the
stretch, Andrick snapped a 62-all game by laying in an off-balance finger-roll shot with 1.9 seconds left.
Akron's senior backcourt of Jammal Ball and Jami
Bosley was held to a combined 15 points after going into the game averaging 35 points
per game. The pair hit only six of 27 shots from the field.