Rhode Island makes victorious return

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Coach Dan Hurley stole an occasional glance at the raucous Rhode Island section and realized just how much this NCAA Tournament means to a starved program, and to an entire state that loves its basketball even if far more under the radar than so many of the others featuring powerhouse programs.

Who could blame them? Back in the tournament for the first time in 18 years, these Rams are on a roll they hope lasts a little longer.

Jeff Dowtin scored a careerhigh 23 points, and upstart Rhode Island answered every threat to stun cold-shooting No. 6 seed Creighton 84-72 on Friday in an opener of the Midwest Region.

“The emotion from them, it almost felt like 18 years’ worth of excitement, and they really inspired the guys,” Hurley said.

Kuran Iverson scored 17 points and Hassan Martin had 12 points and eight rebounds as 11th-seeded Rhode Island (25-9) earned its ninth straight victory. The program won an NCAA Tournament game for the first time since advancing to the Elite Eight and losing to Stanford in 1998.

The Rams made a lot of free throws, too.

E.C. Matthews coolly converted two chances from the line with 2:32 and made all 10 of his free throws on his way to 16 points. Dowtin also hit all 10 from the line as Rhode Island made 28 of 31 free throws.

Ronnie Harrell Jr. scored a career-high 15 points, but Creighton (25-10) shot just 40 percent from the floor, even missing layups.

Khyri Thomas stole the ball from Jarvis Garrett and hit Harrell for a one-handed slam with 8:55 to play that trimmed Rhode Island’s lead to 53-48. But Creighton missed key chances, including Justin Patton’s failed putback try from close range after a rebound.

“We really needed to play defensively in the second half like we did in the first half and play offensively in the first half like we did in the second half,” Creighton coach Greg McDermott said. “Obviously, we didn’t have our ‘A’ game, and to win today we were going to need that.”