How It Happened
Rhode Island (11-16, 2-10 A-10) took an eight-point advantage into halftime and was able to extend the lead to ten (38-28) with 14:27 left in the game, but Rams could not sustain the pace and let the lead slip away down the stretch.

The Hawks (18-7, 7-3 A-10) went on a 9-0 run to move ahead for the first time in the second half (38-37) with 6:01 remaining. 

Down by three (57-54) with 34 seconds to go, Xavier Munford and E.C. Matthews each attempted a three to tie it up for Rhody, but neither shot would fall allowing St. Joe's to escape with the win.

Inside the Box Score

• Rhody is now 3-5 all-time in the annual Pink Out game while Saint Joseph's is 2-0 coming to the Ryan Center for the event.
• The loss marked the sixth time this season that the Rams have lost by five or fewer points. Four of these losses have come in conference play.
• Rhode Island had two players score in double figures as E.C. Matthews finished with a team-high 17 points and Gilvydas Biruta added 10. Biruta also led the Rams on the boards with six rebounds while Matthews dished out a game-best five assists.
• Xavier Munford also recorded five assists on the night, despite scoring just seven points. It marked just the seventh time in his Rhode Island career that he failed to reach double figures.
• Hassan Martin finished the game with a pair of blocks. He has recorded multiple blocks in 15 of his last 17 games, incliding eight games with 4+.
• Martin has denied opponents' shots 62 times this season, which puts him two behind Kenny Green (1986-87) for the URI freshman record.
• Rhode Island's only steals came from E.C. Matthews, who recorded two on the night.
• Ifeanyi Onyekaba returned from his one-game suspension and totaled five points - all on free throws - in 13 minutes of action.
• The game was competitive the whole way through, consisting of seven lead changes and six ties.
• The Hawks shot 57.1 percent (12-of-21) from the floor in the second half and outscored Rhody 32-21. Rhode Island saw it's shooting percentage drop from a 41.9% mark in the first half to a 31.8% in the second.
• Tonight marked the eighth annual Pink Out game and the second time Rhody has faced Saint Joseph's in the game.

Stat of the Day
17 – The number of points E.C. Matthews scored tonight. It also was Matthews 17th game scoring in double figures.

What's Next
Rhode Island travels to St. Bonaventure on Saturday, Feb. 22. Tipoff at the Reilly Center is set for 4 p.m. This - and every Rhody men's basketball game - can be heard live on the University of Rhode Island Radio Network, powered by Beltone Hearing Aid Centers. Tune into B101 (101.5 FM) to hear Steve McDonald and Don Kaull provide the call. The pre-game show begins at 6:30 p.m.