Basketball Spotlight: Rams Defeat Devils at Palestra Saturday, November 27, 2004 By Bob Heller USIP Sports Information Director The Philadelphia University Rams placed four players in double figures as they handed the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia their second consecutive defeat, 77-61 at the historic Palestra earlier today. The Rams shot a blistering 64.0% (16-for-25) in the first half as they opened a 46-31 lead by the break, capitalizing on missed opportunities by the Devils. USP led early 12-11 before the Rams' Graham Edwards (14 points) and Brent Welton (29 points) connected on consecutive three pointers to put Philadelphia up by five 17-12 with 12:48 left. The Rams then went on a 15-7 run to boost their lead to 13, 32-19 with 6:55 left. Four minutes later the Rams had their biggest lead of the half, 15 points, 40-25 - a lead they maintained until halftime. Chris Dougherty (Sr., Haverford HS/ Haverford, PA) and Bill Kurtz (So., Shawnee HS/Shamong, NJ) made consecutive three-point plays to open the second half, cutting the USP deficit to single digits, 46-37 in the opening minute. Philadelphia followed with a 15-6 run, giving the Rams their biggest lead of the game, 18 points, 61-43 with 12:56 left. The Rams still led by 18, 65-47 with 8:47 left before the Devils went on a 12-5 run to pull within 11, 70-59 with 5:16 left. However USP managed only one more field goal over the time remaining in the game, a layup by Collin Harrington (So., Bishop Eustace HS/ Sewell, NJ) with 10 seconds left as the Rams outscored the Devils 7-2 over the final stretch to win easily by 16, 77-61. Dougherty led the Devils (1-2) with 15 points. Gene Willard (Sr., Cardinal O'Hara HS/Broomall, PA) added 14 points and a team-high eight rebounds and five assists. Kurtz joined Dougherty and Willard in double figures with 12 points. Next up for the Devils is another tough road contest at West Chester University on Tuesday, November 30, 2004.