Jan. 24, 2007

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SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (AP) -- Will Daniels had a game-high 20 points to lead Rhode Island over Massachusetts 75-72 on Wednesday night.

URI (13-8, 6-1) entered the game alone atop the Atlantic 10 standings for the first time since Jan. 18, 1997, and remained in first with the win over UMass (14-6, 4-2).

Keith Cothran added 14 for URI, which overcame a slow start and a 28-24 halftime deficit to outscore UMass 51-44 in the second half. Cothran made all eight of the free throws he attempted and Rhode Island went 13 of 14 from the foul line in the final 2:35 of play, building its lead as large as 10 points in the final minute.

Rhode Island took its first lead, 51-49, when Jimmy Baron, who scored 10 of his 11 points in the second half, made three free throws with 7:08 to play. James Life answered with a 3-pointer to pull the Minutemen ahead 52-51.

Baron got a 3-pointer with 5:32 to play to put Rhode Island up 54-52. Rhode Island never trailed again.

Life finished with 19 points for Massachusetts and Rashaun Freeman had 19 points and 12 rebounds.

Stephane Lasme was limited to eight points and five rebounds but had seven blocks to tie Marcus Camby for the Massachusetts school record for career blocked shots.