How It Happened
Trailing by 12 (33-21) with 17:34 left in the game, Rhode Island went on a 25-8 tear over the next nine minutes to pull ahead by five (46-41) after a a pair of free throws by E.C. Matthews. The teams traded baskets over the next five minutes before a layup by Jordair Jett pushed Saint Louis ahead by three 57-54. Matthews responded with a 3-pointer that evened things up at 57 apiece before a free throw by Xavier Munford put Rhode Island ahead 58-57 with 17 seconds to go. 

However, Jett hit a pair of foul shots with :07 remaining, sealing the 59-58 win for the Billikens.

Saint Louis (14-2, 1-0 A-10) had jumped out to an early lead, which it did not relinquish until midway through the second half. The Rams (9-7, 0-1 A-10) had managed to tie things up early on - 14-14 - but a 5:59 first-half scoring drought had sent URI into the break trailing 27-19.

Inside the Box Score

• The Rams have now dropped seven consecutive Atlantic 10 openers, dating back to the 2007-08 season. 
• E.C. Matthews logged a career-high 40 minutes for the Rams and led the team with 17 points on the night. He has now scored 17-or-more in each of URI's last four games. 
• Hassan Martin finished the night with five blocks, marking his fifth game this season with four or more. He currently leads the Rams with 33 on the season.
• Xavier Munford was the only other Ram to score in double figures, netting 16 points to go along with five rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal. Munford has now registered 10+ points in 40 of his 45 games played, dating back to the start of the 2012-13 season.
• SLU held a 41-35 advantage on the glass but Rhody's Gilvydas Biruta led all players with seven rebounds.
• Jordair Jett scored a game-high 31 points for the Billikens, marking the highest point total the Rams have allowed an individual player all season.
• Saint Louis' 27 first-half points were the team's third fewest in a half this season. The Billikens had previously netted 21 against Vanderbilt and 23 against Wisconsin. 
• Similarly, Rhody's first-half scoring output (19 points) matched its worst single-half performance of the year as it also registered 19 in the first half at Arizona.
• The Billikens entered the contest receiving votes in the AP Top 25 as well as the USA Today Coaches Poll.
• SLU's victory over the Rams was its first since the 2009-10 season. Prior to tonight, Rhody had won five in a row against the Billikens.

What's Next 
Rhode Island now hits the road for a pair of games at George Washington (Jan. 11) and La Salle (Jan. 15). The matchup vs. the Colonials will be televised on NBC Sports Network while the La Salle tilt in Philadelphia will air locally on OSN.