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KINGSTOWN, R.I., Jan. 27- The GW’s men’s basketball team practiced in a cold gym Friday, the day before its 82-78 win over Rhode Island that gave the Colonials sole possession of first place in the Atlantic 10.

The low temperature aggravated junior Maureece Rice’s lingering cough and cold, but Rice was his cool self Saturday, scoring 27 points and hitting all 10 of his free throws.

“It was one of those nights where I was just feeling it from the beginning,” Rice said in between coughs.

Rice’s backcourt mate, senior Carl Elliott, did as he always does – play his best as the clock ticks towards zero. Down four with about five minutes left, Elliott stroked two threes within a minute, then hit two free throws with 28 seconds left to put the team up four. Elliott finished with 18 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Rhode Island led by nine with 10:35 left in the game, but their inexperience, and GW’s experience, showed down the stretch, where the Rams had some defensive lapses, Hobbs said.

Junior Will Daniels and sophomore Jimmy Baron led URI with 17 points each, with Baron hitting five of 10 three pointers.

GW heads to Ohio Wednesday to face Dayton at UD Arena.

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