Jan 9, 2002

Box Score

KINGSTON, R.I. (AP) - Marvin O'Connor scored 29 points as St. Joseph's pulled away from Rhode Island in the second half of an 87-71 win Wednesday.

St. Joseph's (8-4, 2-0 Atlantic 10) used a 14-2 run in the second half to break a 63-63 tie.

O'Connor scored the final five points of that run, including a 3-pointer with 4:12 to play, gaving St. Joseph's a 77-65 lead. O'Connor scored 23 second-half points on 8-of-10 shooting.

Rhode Island (4-9, 0-2) scored just one field goal over the final 9:42 of play, and that came with just eight seconds left in the game.

The Rams held O'Connor to just six points in the first half and led 36-35 at the break after turning the ball over just once.

Bill Phillips scored 11 of his 17 points in the second half for St. Joseph's. He went over the 1,000-point mark for his career with a three-point play at the 18:30 mark of the second half.

Jameer Nelson had 15 points and nine assists for St. Joseph's and Na'im Crenshaw added 13.

Dustin Hellenga and Troy Wiley both scored 11 points for Rhode Island.