Jan. 22, 2011

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KINGSTON, R.I. - The Rhode Island men's basketball team (12-7; 3-2 Atlantic 10) dropped a 76-75 decision in the closing seconds to La Salle on Saturday afternoon at the Ryan Center.

All five Rhody starters finished in double figures. Senior Marquis Jones led all URI scorers with 15 points on 4-of-8 shooting. Fellow senior Delroy James finished the game by tying a season-high with 14 rebounds.

Rhody's loss at home was just its second this season, dropping the Rams to 7-2 on the year.

Rhode Island trailed by eight points (21-13) with just under 10 minutes to go in the first half, but URI fought back to cut the Explorers' lead to three with 5:59 remaining until the break.

La Salle jumped out to a 12-point lead with four minutes to go in the first half, but Rhody charged back with an 8-0 run to close out the first half and trailed by just four points heading into the locker room.

Senior Will Martell got the run started as he cut the Explorer lead to nine, connecting on a three-point play with just over three and a half minutes to go. Jones then drilled on 3-pointer to bring the deficit to six. James capped the spurt with a thunderous two-hand jam, which cut the lead to four just before the buzzer.

James led all first half Rhody scorers as he chipped in seven points. He also pulled down a team-best, eight rebounds. As a team, Rhody struggled from the free throw line as it shot just 26 percent (8-of-30) compared to a 37.5 clip for the Explorers.

In the second half, Rhody came out firing as it opened up an 11-point lead with 10:06 to go in the game (58-47), but the Explorers would not go away as it rallied back with a 12-1 run to tie the game at 59 with 7:48.

Both teams would go on to trade baskets as no team lead by more than five points.

La Salle evened the game at 72 apiece with just over a minute and a half to go. On Rhody's next offensive possession, URI re-claimed the lead at 73-72 after Jones split a pair of free throws.

La Salle returned the favor as senior Jerrell Williams split a pair of free throws to tie the game at 73. Sophomore center Aaric Murray gave La Salle a three-point lead with 28 seconds to go in the game. Murray finished the game with a game-high 20 points.

Rhody returns to action on Wednesday as it heads to Saint Louis. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m.