PHILADELPHIA – The La Salle men's basketball team fell to the Rhode Island Rams 59-56 on Saturday afternoon at Tom Gola Arena.

Senior Jerrell Wright poured in a game-high 23 points to pair with eight rebounds for the Explorers, including five on the offensive glass. The senior was 5-for-7 with 12 points and five rebounds in the first half.
 
"Jerrell carried us offensively," head coach Dr. John Giannini said.  "He was a huge part in us having a chance to win."
 
Steve Zack had a big second half, going for 11 of his 13 points after the break. The senior also pulled down eight rebounds and dished a game-high four assists.
 
The Explorers staged a valiant comeback effort in the second stanza, pulling to within a point in the closing minutes after trailing by as many as 15 early in the second half.
 
Khalid Lewis hit a three to cap a 13-4 La Salle run midway through the second half to cut their deficit to 53-52 with 6:15 remaining.
 
After a jumper for E.C. Matthews pushed the URI lead back to three, Wright made it a 55-54 game with a layup with 3:55 to go.
 
The Explorers couldn't find the equalizer, however, as three free throws from the Rams pushed their lead to four with 3:02 to play. La Salle was 2-for-5 from the foul line over the closing 1:58.
 
"For as disappointed as I am, I thought that second half was something to build on," Giannini said. "If we can play the way we did in the second half throughout the next two or three weeks I think we can win games."
 
La Salle outscored the Rams 32-23 in the second half after trailing 36-24 at the break.

Rhode Island was led by E.C. Matthews, who had 21 points. T.J. Buchanan had 12 while Gilvydas Biruta added 10.
 
The Explorers (15-14, 7-9 A-10) are back in action on Wednesday as they visit crosstown rival Saint Joseph's at 7 p.m.