Dayton upends Rhode Island as Russell bids adieu

By Ray Floriani (@rfloriani)

A strong second half run allowed Dayton to pull away and defeat Rhode Island, 84-72, at VCU’s Siegel Center. The second round Atlantic 10 Tournament victory sends Dayton (14-8) into the quarterfinals against VCU, on the Rams’ home floor. Rhode Island finished its season at 10-15. 

Two of the conference’s elite backcourt performers were facing each other in Fatts Russell of Rhode Island and Dayton’s Jalen Crutcher. However, it was Ibi Watson, Dayton’s 6-foot-5 senior, who led all with 25 points. 

“I felt good in warmups,” Watson said after connecting on six 3-point field goals. “I credit my teammates and my coaches for putting me in a position to get the shots.” Crutcher concurred, saying, “we ran a lot of ball screens and stagger screens for Ibi. With him shooting like that, it made my job so much easier.”

On facing VCU, the victorious Flyers look to exact some revenge against a Ram team who took both of the regular-season matchups between the two schools.

“We played them twice so we know what they like to do and what they like to play,” Watson said. 

“We will be ready,” Crutcher predicted. “They beat us twice. Beating someone a third time is hard. It will be a battle.” 

Dayton coach Anthony Grant noted, “We are familiar with them, but with VCU, it’s defensive issues. They will pressure and you just can’t turn the ball over against them. On offense, they have a variety of guys who are effective.”

“In a tournament like this with a short turnaround, you need depth,” Grant said. “We got a lot of great efforts. In this tournament situation, you need that.”

Grant felt it was a back-and-forth game, also reminding his Flyers about their late-season loss at Rhode Island. 

“Coach talked about the last meeting at Rhode Island and how we lost the game,” Watson said. “He pointed to that game and reminded us no lead is safe.”

For Rhode Island, the Rams could only reflect on the end of the season. 

“It was a tough year,” head coach David Cox said. “The players deserve tremendous credit. It was a trying season, on and off the floor.”

Rhode Island could take credit for playing a 25-game schedule, including 17 conference games. In these times, those figures border on outstanding. The loss to Dayton, for the Rams,  was so reminiscent of many games this season.

“Our last few games, we did not play at a high enough level,” Cox admitted. “Through it all, our guys continued to fight. If there is criticism, it’s on me. I should take the brunt of it, not these young men.”

On a more emotional note, Thursday's game marked the swan song for Russell in Keaney blue.

“It was emotional,” he said. “I have a great love and passion for Rhode Island. It will always be a part of my family.”

Russell lamented playing so much in front of no fans in this Covid-challenged season, one in which he himself was injured. 

“I missed the fans because this place has a special place in my heart,” he said.

Exiting the game the last time in a Ram uniform, Russell was hugged by Cox. 

“I told him I loved him,” Cox said before adding, “I don’t know what it will be like coaching without Fatts Russell.”