Men's Basketball Ryerson vs RMC Jan. 22nd 2011

Rams defeat RMC for fourth straight win
TORONTO - Jahmal Jones scored a game-high 27 points as the Ryerson Rams men's basketball team dominated the RMC Paladins in an 81-43 romp at Kerr Hall Gym on Saturday evening. The Hero Burger "Hero of the Game" Steve Williams recorded his first double-double of the season, tallying 11 points and 12 rebounds, while veteran Ryan McNeilly pitched in 13 from the floor in the victory.
The Rams (6-8) have won four consecutive games, and are undefeated since losing both games in Ottawa two weekends ago. Conversely, the Paladins are in the midst of another winless season. RMC has not recorded a victory since November 2006.

The Rams smothered the Paladins throughout the first half. After jumping out to a 12-3 advantage and taking a nine point lead at the end of the first, Ryerson limited the visitors to a measly four points in the second period. The Paladins allowed 21 straight points before finally sinking a basket near the end of the quarter.

"We got off to a real good first half," said Rams Head Coach Roy Rana. Ryerson took a 29-point lead into the halftime break. Rana commented on the importance of keeping such a lopsided affair as clean as possible. "(The game) started getting a little chippy at one point, and I didn't want it to turn ugly."

As the second quarter wore on and the game began to get out of reach for the Paladins, the physical play seemed to pick up a bit more, and Rana didn't let his squad off the hook so easily either. "I thought our guys stopped playing a little bit (too). That was frustrating, but you're in a difficult situation trying to manage a game and not let it get (out of hand)."

The Paladins found their shot a bit more in the second-half, and that gave the contest a bit of its flow back, and fortunately shifted it away from a more physical, frustrating event. The Rams had four players in double-digits, including Williams, Jones and Ryan McNeilly. Jordon Gauthier (Windsor, Ont.) also sunk 11, adding six boards on the night. Nicolas Cooke was the best Paladin, dropping 19 points while shooting close to 47% from the field.

For Rana, he was pleased with getting most of his roster into the contest, and also that he had a chance to give two key players some time off to heal. "Luke (Staniscia) and Ola (Adegboruwa) are both banged up, so it was an opportunity to give them a break and let them get fresh and healthy."

The Rams are in a logjam in the OUA East after tonight, tied with both Ottawa and Laurentian in wins, and just one game back of the third-place York Lions. The final three games of their home-stand may have a strong influence on where they end up in the playoff picture. Ryerson will take on the Toronto Varsity Blues (9-5) on Wednesday, before meeting up with York and Laurentian; teams who they defeated one weekend ago.

Rana explained his team is feeling a lot better about themselves through their recent successes, but also recognizes the challenge the No. 9 Varsity Blues represent in their Wednesday meeting. "They're a top 10 team, and are very strong. I think it's going to be a great game."

The Blues may not be in the greatest of moods in four days time either, as they are coming off an upset loss at the hands of the Queen's Gaels, a team the Rams pummelled by 39 points on Friday night.

Recap Written by Adam Ali

Category:

Sports

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• Ryerson
• rams
• varsity
• basketball
• oua
• cis
• rmc
• paladins