Men’s Basketball Nets Season Sweep of URI, 72-61

Saturday, February 19

Washington, DC

6 PM

George Washington University

11-14,7-6Atlantic 10

Rhode Island

13-12,4-9Atlantic 10

Rhode Island

George Washington

2/19/2022 9:11:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

Colonials move over .500 in league play at 7-6

WASHINGTON - With a chance to climb above the .500 mark in conference play at 7-6, George Washington felt good about its chances when the team welcomed Rhode Island to D.C. on Saturday evening, having previously defeated the Rams in Kingston earlier this season.

The Buff and Blue then seized the moment and sprinted out to its largest halftime lead of the season at 44-30 on the strength of eight made 3-pointers in the first half, the last of which came off the finger tips of Joe Bamisile at the halftime buzzer. The Virginia Tech transfer had 11 of his team-leading 20 points in the opening stanza, and GW never let the lead dip below seven points in the second half to move above .500 in the A-10 this late in the season for the first time since finishing the 2016-17 season at 10-8 in the 72-61 home win.

Behind the sterling guard play of Bamisile, James Bishop (12 points, two assists) and first-year Brayon Freeman (13 points, three assists), GW controlled the action, assisting 16 times while committing just 11 turnovers and forcing 17 Rams' miscues. The trio accounted for 45 points with seven of GW's 11 threes on the game between them. GDUB led for 38:17 of game action after taking control early to leave no doubt. The Colonials led by as many as 15 in sweeping Rhode Island for the first time since 1995.

Hunter Dean was once again at his best against the Rams, after enjoying a career-best game in Rhode Island, battling the Rams' Mitchell twins inside and holding his own with seven points on 3-of-4 shooting with nine rebounds, a steal and a block. Ricky Lindo Jr. stuffed the stat sheet again with four points, five rebounds and four helpers as all eight Colonials who saw action scored at least two points.

GW will look to continue its conference climb when it hosts a Richmond on Tuesday night. Tip time from the Smith Center is 7 p.m. on ESPN+ and NBC Sports Washington. The Buff and Blue will enter play just a half-game behind the Spiders with Richmond standing at 8-6 in the A-10.