KINGSTON R.I. – Rhode Island went on a 10-0 run midway through the first half to break open a close game and did not trail the rest of the game in a 59-47 victory over La Salle on Thursday night at the Ryan Center. Senior Jerrell Wright had 18 points to lead the Explorers.
 
Redshirt junior Khalid Lewis had 10 points, while senior Steve Zack had nine points and 10 rebounds.
 
Redshirt freshman Amar Stukes had a career-high seven steals, one short of the school record of eight held by Doug Overton, Paul Burke and Shawn Smith. The seven swipes were the most since Smith had his eight versus Virginia Tech on January 27, 1998.
 
Rhode Island was led by Gilvydas Biruta, who had 16 points and nine rebounds. Hassan Martin added 14 points, nine rebounds and nine blocks.
 
The Rams led 15-11 midway through the first half as neither team could get much going offensively. Then URI scored the next 10 points over four minutes, with Biruta getting six in that stretch to make it 25-11 for the hosts with 4:36 before half.
 
Rhode Island (12-5, 4-2 A-10) led by double-digits for most of the second half before the Explorers cut it to 47-38 with 7:17 to play, with the ball. But a three-pointer rimmed out and a turnover on the next possession was sandwiched by two URI dunks to put the game out of reach.
 
La Salle (10-9, 2-4 A-10) hosts rival Saint Joseph's on Tuesday at 7 PM at Gola Arena. The game will be televised locally on The Comcast Network and also on SNY and CSN-Mid Atlantic.
 
"We have a huge game versus St. Joe's coming up and we need to win the next game and avoid a losing streak," head coach Dr. John Giannini said.