SOUTH KINGSTOWN — Kahiem Seawright found out yesterday what it is like to play with a height advantage. Boy, did he ever enjoy it.

URI’s senior forward turned in the best game of his career as he carried the Rams to a 77-69 victory over Central Connecticut at the Ryan Center.

Seawright poured in a career high 26 points and added seven rebounds. He missed one shot all day — he was 9-for-10 from the field and 8-for-8 from the foul line. Oh yes, he also had three steals, three blocked shots and two assists, with just one turnover in 33 minutes in a huge effort.

The Rams needed him because Central Connecticut, now 4-5, played well. It hit 10 of its first 14 shots as it ran its offense beautifully, sending cutters to the basket constantly and finding them for easy hoops. The Blue Devils led by as many as eight and were on top 38-33 at the half. Their last lead was 60-59 with 6:07 remaining.

Seawright, though, was simply too much.

At 6-foot-8, he has played much of his career at the five spot. He constantly has had to battle taller players. Central Connecticut does not have a starter over 6-6, so Seawright had the size advantage for a change. He made the most of the opportunity.

“It’s different,” he said of being the biggest guy on the court. “I try to take the same approach every game, no matter who we’re playing. My teammates did a great job finding me today. … Coach is calling some plays for me.”

Both URI coach Jim Baron and Central coach Howie Dickenman pointed out that Seawright had help, that his teammates, most notably back-point guard Stevie Mejia, who played well in the second half, did a nice job getting the ball to Seawright.

“I’m not going to play against many players like Seawright, thank God,” Dickenman said. “He’s going to play somewhere next year. He’s a major-leaguer.”

“He just plays,” Baron said of his co-captain. “That’s the way he is.”

In addition to Seawright, Jimmy Baron had 22 points, although he was only 2-for-12 on 3-pointers. Lamonte Ulmer and Delroy James both came off the bench to add 10 points apiece. Ken Horton, who at 6-6 is the Blue Devils’ big man, had 23 points. A lean, speedy forward with 3-point range, he looked as if he would fit in nicely with the Rams.

In fact, the entire Blue Devils’ team looked a lot like URI, except for the lack of size. The Blue Devils’ roster is loaded with players who can move and handle the ball. Central matched up well and gave the Rams all they could handle.

“I told my team that we played well for 34 minutes, but to beat a team like Rhode Island you have to play well for 40 minutes,” Dickenman said. “We had them on the ropes and when it was time to step up, they did. I’d say that’s the sign of a good team and they are.”

Central Connecticut led by scores of 16-13, 23-17, 31-23 and then 38-33 at the half and then 42-36 and 52-48. It was 60-59 with 6:07 remaining when URI ran off eight quick points as Will Martell, Ulmer, Seawright and then Baron scored in rapid succession.

All of a sudden it was 67-60 URI with 4:25 left and the Rams were on the way to their eighth win of the season. It was the 12th straight win for the Rams against non-conference foes at the Ryan Center.

“In the second half, we did a much better job of defending rebounding, keeping the pressure on them,” Baron said. “Their quickness gave us some problems early on. They’re a good team.”

The Blue Devils have only one senior and look to be in good shape down the road. Their only problem right now is they do not have anyone like Seawright.

pkenyon@projo.com