URI’s Jimmy Baron drives to the basket in the first half of last night’s game against Virginia Commonwealth University.

The Providence Journal / Ruben W. Perez

SOUTH KINGSTOWN — Kahiem Seawright lost a tooth last night but won admiration for helping his URI basketball team to a huge victory.

The Rhody co-captain put up some excellent numbers as his team outlasted Virginia Commonwealth, 92-86, at the Ryan Center. Even though he was limited to 22 minutes because of foul problems, Seawright helped in many ways.

His 17 points and five rebounds were pivotal. But they only begin to tell the story. He also had three assists, including a gorgeous pass that set up Delroy James with a layup late in the game. And he had 2 of URI’s 11 steals.

Seawright got Larry Sanders, VCU’s center, in foul trouble. Sanders picked up two fouls in the game’s first two minutes and had to sit. He picked up two more quick fouls in the second half and played only seven minutes.

For a final touch, Seawright set a perfect screen, after dropping off a pass to Jimmy Baron that freed Baron for a 3-pointer with 1:47 left that helped clinch the victory.

Seawright was not around afterward, though. He was getting treatment after losing a tooth in a collision late in the game.

Cothran career best

Keith Cothran keeps forcing URI to make changes on the stat sheet tracking his personal highs.

The junior guard had another career best last night with 23 points. That came after he had broken his previous record of 17 points with 18 in the victory at Monmouth on Thursday.

Cothran made virtually everything from around the hoop as he had great success driving to the basket. He also had several scores off offensive rebounds. He had five rebounds, all off the offensive glass.

He was not alone. The two teams combined for more offensive rebounds (33) than defensive boards in the game (29). After being the team’s sixth man for two years, Cothran is now starting, although he indicated he does not expect to start every game. When he starts, he gives the starting unit three guards with Baron and Marquis Jones.

“Some games we’re going to go big,” he said. “It really doesn’t matter if I start or come off the bench. I just wanted to be aggressive and be consistent.”

“I thought this was one of Keith’s best games,” URI coach Jim Baron said.

Baron free throws off

Jimmy Baron also set a record last night, but not one he wants to remember. He missed three free throws in a game for the first time in his career.

In fact, Baron missed more foul shots last night than he did all last season at home. He was 35-for-37 at home last year.

The positive side was that Baron also had 10 free throws in the game, due in large part to his much-improved ability to take the ball off the dribble.

“He got to the foul line 10 times. That’s something he wasn’t doing before,” coach Baron pointed out.

Hartford wins

Hartford, URI’s next opponent (Tuesday at the Ryan Center), beat St. Francis of New York, 91-82, in double overtime yesterday. Stefan Perunicic, who committed to URI this past summer, but ended up at St. Francis after not being admitted to URI, had 16 points for St. Francis, including four 3-point baskets. Perunicic had 21 points, including five 3-pointers, in St. Francis’ first game. . .

Tom Drennan, who works on the crew helping with the Cox Cable telecast of Ryan Center games, was beaming yesterday. One of his former players, Michael Sims, tied for 12th in second-stage qualifying for the PGA Tour. That means Sims is assured of a spot on the PGA or Nationwide Tours for next year. The Q School finals will be held in two weeks in California. . .

Steve McDonald, the radio voice of the Rams, completed a double with room to spare. He did the Rhody football victory over Northeastern in the afternoon in Boston, then drove to Kingston and made it to the Ryan Center an hour before game time.

pkenyon@projo.com