Rhode Island Starters
Thomas, Carey, Leggett, Martin, Stewart

Loyola Chicago Starters
Quinn, Norris, Alston, Schweiger, Golden

How it Happened
Ishmael Leggett hit two free throws with 2.2 seconds remaining to lift Rhode Island to a 79-77 victory over Loyola Chicago Wednesday night. The victory snapped a seven-game losing streak and gave the Rams their first road win of the season.

URI (9-20, 5-12 Atlantic 10) led by as many as 17 points in the second half, but the host Ramblers (9-20, 3-14 A-10) made a furious comeback in the final minutes. Rhody led 75-67 after a Leggett jumper. Jalen Quinn came right back with a basket for Loyola, and after a URI turnover, Sheldon Edwards hit two free throws to pull the Ramblers within four.

Malik Martin made it a six-point lead with a second-chance basket with a minute to go. Edwards responded with a 3-pointer with 44 seconds left, and after an empty possession for the Rams, Braden Norris hit a long 3 with 10 seconds on the clock to tie the game.

Rhody decided to play it out without a timeout, and Leggett was able to draw a foul on Philip Alston with 2.2 seconds to go, setting up the winning points. Leggett knocked away the initial long inbounds pass, leaving Loyola with 1.7 ticks. The Ramblers put a pass toward the rim, but Jalen Carey intercepted it to seal the win and send URI home with a victory.

Inside the Box Score.

• Rhode Island snapped its 15-game losing streak, which dated back to January of 2022, a span of 403 days.
• Rhode Island had a season-low eight turnovers, including just three in the first half. The Rams had 14 assists.
• The 44 first-half points were a season high.
• Sophomore Ishmael Leggett had 20 points and was 7-for-7 at the line. He now has 907 career points.
• Redshirt junior Jalen Carey had 17 points, six rebounds and two steals.
• Sophomore Sebastian Thomas had 11 points, five assists and four rebounds with just one turnover.
• Redshirt sophomore Alex Tchikou was the fourth Ram in double digits, scoring 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting. He had three dunks.
• Redshirt senior Malik Martin had seven points and five rebounds while logging 38 minutes.
• Freshman Rory Stewart made his first career start and had eight points, two rebounds and an assist in 26 minutes.
• Redshirt freshman Brandon Weston had five points, four rebounds and a steal.
• Redshirt freshman Abdou Samb provided a first-half boost with two rebounds and a blocked shot in four minutes.
• URI had a 37-28 edge on the boards.
• Rhody shot 18-for-21 from the free throw line.

What's Next
Rhode Island closes out the regular season at home against Davidson Saturday, March 4. Game time is 8 p.m. on CBSSN. Before the game, Malik Martin and Jalen Carey will be honored as part of Senior Day.