Sheppard lifts URI over Milwaukee, 82-58
MILWAUKEE — Jeremy Sheppard tied his career-high with a season-high 25 points as Rhode Island romped past Milwaukee, 82-58, on Monday night.
"Jeremy Sheppard was a difference maker today. He played with so much energy today," said URI coach David Cox, noting that his team looked locked in.
Makhi Mitchell had 16 points for Rhode Island (8-3) and Jalen Carey, back from concussion protocol, had 8 points in his return.
"It's good have him back," Cox said.
Rhode Island raced out early, scoring the the first 10 points of the game and lead from wire to wire, ending the first half on a 16-5 run to take a 13-point lead into the locker room. URI shot 53.3% from the floor to notch its fourth win in its last five games, the lone defeat coming at the Dunkin' Donuts Center to Providence.
Milwaukee scored 21 first-half points, a season-low for the team. DeAndre Gholston had 16 points for the Panthers (2-8). Donovan Newby added 12 points.
As good a game it was for URI, Cox was still unhappy with the rate of unforced turnovers (nine in the first half), saying the team needs to get back to practice before its next contest at College of Charleston on Sunday.
With Journal Staff Reports
RHODE ISLAND (82): Makhe.Mitchell 2-5 5-7 9, Makhi.Mitchell 7-12 2-2 16, El-Amin 0-2 2-2 2, Leggett 2-8 3-4 9, Sheppard 8-13 6-6 25, Martin 2-3 0-0 5, Walker 3-6 0-0 6, Carey 3-3 1-2 8, S.Thomas 1-2 0-0 2, Ayo-Faleye 0-0 0-0 0, Berry 0-1 0-0 0; Totals 28-55 19-23 82. MILWAUKEE (58): Simms 2-5 2-2 6, St. Pierre 1-3 3-5 5, Baldwin 1-8 3-4 6, Gholston 5-11 4-7 16, Lathon 2-6 0-0 4, J.Thomas 4-9 1-1 9, Newby 3-4 4-4 12, Baker 0-3 0-0 0, Bol 0-0 0-0 0, Hancock 0-0 0-0 0, Sinani 0-0 0-0 0, Ross 0-0 0-0 0; totals 18-49 17-23 58.
Halftime — Rhode Island 34-21. 3-Point Goals — Rhode Island 7-21 (Sheppard 3-5, Leggett 2-5, Carey 1-1, Martin 1-2, Berry 0-1, El-Amin 0-1, Makhi.Mitchell 0-1, S.Thomas 0-1, Makhe.Mitchell 0-2, Walker 0-2), Milwaukee 5-22 (Gholston 2-3, Newby 2-3, Baldwin 1-6, Baker 0-2, J.Thomas 0-2, Lathon 0-3, Simms 0-3). Fouled Out — Makhe.Mitchell, St. Pierre. Rebounds — Rhode Island 38 (Makhi.Mitchell 10), Milwaukee 25 (Gholston 7). Assists — Rhode Island 12 (Makhe.Mitchell 4), Milwaukee 8 (Baldwin, Lathon 2). Total Fouls — Rhode Island 22, Milwaukee 24. Records — Rhode Island 8-3, Milwaukee 2-8. A — 2,380 (10,783).
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: The University of Rhode Island plays at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in men's basketball on Monday night.
