What's Happening?
Rhode Island achieved a significant upset by defeating No. 18 Saint Louis 81-76 in an Atlantic 10 conference game. Jonah Hinton led the Rams with a career-high 29 points, making 9 of 15 three-point attempts. This victory marks Rhode Island's first win over an AP Top 25 team since 2017. Myles Corey contributed 15 points, maintaining a perfect record from the free-throw line. The Rams capitalized on Saint Louis' 18 turnovers, converting them into 28 points. Despite a late rally by Saint Louis, Rhode Island maintained their lead, securing the win with crucial free throws in the final seconds.
Why It's Important?
This victory is a major boost for Rhode Island, demonstrating their ability to compete against top-ranked teams. It breaks Saint Louis' 18-game winning streak,
highlighting vulnerabilities in their gameplay, particularly in handling pressure and turnovers. For Rhode Island, the win could serve as a catalyst for improved performance in the conference, potentially impacting their standings and postseason opportunities. The game also showcases Jonah Hinton's potential as a key player for the Rams, with his performance likely to attract attention from scouts and analysts.
What's Next?
Rhode Island will aim to build on this momentum in their upcoming games, focusing on maintaining their defensive pressure and capitalizing on opponents' mistakes. Saint Louis will need to regroup and address their turnover issues to prevent similar upsets in future matches. Both teams will continue to navigate the competitive landscape of the Atlantic 10 conference, with each game influencing their postseason prospects.
