SPORTS

The Davidson Wildcats men’s basketball team following their upset win over Rhode Island in their final home game of the season.

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Jon Axel Gudmundsson‘s 3-point play with 3.1 seconds remaining, capped a 9-0 Davidson run in the closing minutes, as the Wildcats knocked off No. 16/17 Rhode Island, 63-61, Friday in front of a sold out Belk Arena.

Jon Axel Gudmundsson goes in and around a Rhode Island player for a layup.

Trailing 61-54 at the 2:47 mark, Kellan Grady scored six straight for Davidson (18-11, 13-5 A-10) to cut the deficit to 61-60, with 16 seconds remaining.

Freshman Kellan Grady scored 16 points on the night, playing in 38 minutes of the 40 minute game.

During the ‘Cats’ come-from-behind spurt, the Rams missed the front end of three consecutive one-and-ones, including Jared Terrell’s attempt with 15 ticks left, which set up Gudmundsson’s heroics.

Rhode Island (23-6, 15-3 A-10) had one final shot, but Fatts Russell’s try from just inside of mid-court, rimmed off.

Coming off a career-high 45 points in Davidson’s thrilling triple-overtime contest at St. Bonaventure Tuesday, Peyton Aldridge recorded his sixth straight double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Senior Peyton Aldridge takes one in for an aggressive layup against the Rhode Island Rams.

Grady finished with 16 points, while Gudmundsson added 11 to go along with 6 boards and 6 assists.

After Davidson jumped out to an 8-3 lead highlighted by triples from Aldridge and Oskar Michelsen, the Rams answered with a 20-6 streak and carried a 35-29 advantage into the half.

Terrell, who scored 16 points in the first half, led three Rams in double figures with 22 points on 8-of-16 shooting.

Davidson, which entered fourth nationally in free-throw percentage at 79.1 percent, finished 12-of-14 (.857) at the line, while Rhody converted just 5-of-11.

Senior Rusty Reigel gets both hands on the ball to force a “held ball” during an offensive play by the Rams.

Tonight’s win for the Wildcats was their first over a ranked opponent since knocking off No. 22 Dayton on Jan. 20, 2015.

Prior to this evening’s regular season finale, Davidson recognized its 2018 Senior Class — Peyton Aldridge, Will Magarity, Oskar Michelsen, Rusty Reigel and Jordan Watkins.

Up Next
Davidson will travel to Washington, D.C. for the 2018 Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Tournament. The Wildcats, who earned a double bye, will begin play with a 6 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. quarterfinal contest on Friday, March 9 inside Capital One Arena.

Senior Jordan Watkins

Senior Will Magarity

Senior Oskar Michelsen

Senior Rusty Reigel

Senior Peyton Aldridge