Rhode Island Basketball: 3 takeaways from loss to Western Kentucky
After coming off a loss on the road to nationally ranked Wisconsin, Rhode Island Basketball was seeking a resume-boosting win over Western Kentucky prior to conference play.
This has been a roller coaster beginning to the season for Rhode Island Basketball (3-4) as they look to eventually emerge into a contender in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Rhode Island opened up the season losing two games in the Bubble to Arizona State and Boston College. Rhody would go on a three-game winning streak over South Florida, San Francisco, and Seton Hall. They are now on another two-game losing streak to Wisconsin and Western Kentucky.
The Rams went into E.A. Diddle Arena in Western Kentucky in search of their fourth win of the season on Sunday afternoon. The Rams were unable to stop the dominant Charles Bassey and the Hilltoppers.
The Hilltoppers started off the game on a 9-0 run as Rhody would miss its first six shots and have four turnovers in the opening five minutes. The first Rhode Island score would come off a three-pointer from D.J. Johnson, though Western Kentucky would respond with a bucket to make the score 11-3.
Rhody would eventually get things going after starting 1-for-10 from the field, the Rams hit eight of their next 11 shots. Fatts Russell got going with a steal and a fastbreak layup off the glass. Rhody would then go on a 6-0 run and would get its first lead after Jalen Carey hit back-to-back shots.
Before the half things would turn cold for Rhody, as they would hit just 1-of-8 shots. The Hilltoppers would then capitalize with an 11-1 run.
Rhody would come out more aggressive in the second half. In fact, points contributed by Ishmael Leggett, Antwan Walker, and D.J. Johnson would result in Rhody retaking the lead by a score of 54-53.
On the defensive end, Makhel Mitchell would block a shot that would lead to a Russell game-tying layup, 64-64, with 47 seconds left.
On the next possession, Charles Bassey got an offensive rebound and a put-back basket to make it 66-64. Jalen Carey did draw a foul but made 1-of-2 free throws from the charity stripe which forced Rhode Island to foul.
Western Kentucky would go on to win the game by a score of 68-65. So, what did we learn from this loss?