Rhode Island Starters
Freeman, Carey, Leggett, Martin, Tchikou

Saint Louis Starters
Reynolds II, Brown, Greer III, Fleming, Obinna

How It Happened
Rhode Island stayed with first-place Saint Louis all game long, but the Billikens just held URI off, 76-71, Tuesday night.

With Saint Louis (16-8, 8-3 A-10) leading 69-61 with 4:09 remaining, the Rams began to chip away. Malik Martin had a layup, blocked a shot to force a shot violation and then banked a 3-pointer to get Rhody within three points at 69-66 with just over two minutes to go. The teams traded baskets, but Rhode Island (8-15, 4-7 A-10) managed to tie the score at 71-71 on a pair of Ishmael Leggett free throws.

Gibson Jimerson (24 points) buried his sixth 3-pointer of the game to put the Billikens up with 31 seconds remaining. Rhode Island had a chance to tie again, but a 3-point attempt from Leggett went off the rim and Saint Louis was able to escape with the victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Rhode Island's defense held Saint Louis to 33.3 percent (11-of-33) in the first half. The Billikens shot 57.1 percent (16-of-28) after the break.
• Rhode Island again battled on the boards, only allowing Saint Louis a 37-36 edge.
• Sophomore Ishmael Leggett led URI with 20 points, half of which came at the free throw line. He was 10-of-14 for the game.
• The Rams had uncharacteristic struggles at the free throw line, going 15-of-24 as a team.
• Sophomore Brayon Freeman had 14 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals.
• Freshman Rory Stewart had a career-high 11 points on a perfect shooting night. He was 4-for-4 overall, including 3-for-3 from the arc.
• Stewart was 4-for-21 from long range entering the game.
• Redshirt freshman Alex Tchikou had six points and eight rebounds. He scored on a pair of alley-oop dunks in the second half.
• Redshirt junior Jalen Carey had eight points, six rebounds and three steals.
• Redshirt senior Malik Martin had five points, four rebounds, three blocks, two assists and a steal in a team-high 36 minutes.
• Sophomore Sebastian Thomas had five points, all in the first half.
• Saint Louis point guard Yuri Collins became the Atlantic 10's all-time leader in assists, finishing the game with 786.
• Rhode Island had a 24-8 advantage in points off turnovers.

What's Next
Rhode Island wraps up its three-game road swing with a game at George Mason Saturday, Feb. 11. Game time is 2 p.m. on ESPN+.