Saint Louis Outlasts URI Late In A10 Battle Tuesday

University of Rhode Island Press Release

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+.