KINGSTON, R.I. - The La Salle University men's basketball team battled back from a 14-point, second-half deficit to take a one-point lead on two separate occasions late in the second half. But the comeback effort fell just short as Rhode Island pulled out a 66-63 win at the Ryan Center on Saturday afternoon.

Senior Isiah Deas posted a game-high 19 points and junior Scott Spencer chipped in with 14 for the Explorers, who fall to 10-7 overall and 1-4 in Atlantic 10 play.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Rhode Island jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead but the Explorers responded with seven straight points of their own, with Spencer connecting on a three-pointer to tie the game less than four minutes in.
• Another three-ball from Spencer gave La Salle its first lead of the game at 10-9 and, after a layup by URI, seven consecutive points from Deas upped the margin to 17-11.
• The Explorers remained in front until the midway point of the half, when the Rams went on a 8-0 spurt to gain a 25-21 lead.
• Six straight from La Salle, including a backdoor dunk by junior David Beatty, swung momentum back in the favor of the visitors with 5:45 on the clock.
• URI scored 12 of the next 15 points and entered the locker room with a 39-33 advantage at halftime.
• Deas posted 12 points in the opening half on 5-of-9 shooting while freshman Ayinde Hikim had eight points and five assists.
• Rhode Island would build its lead to as many as 14 points towards the 10-minute mark of the second stanza before the Explorers began their run.
• A full-court press and flummoxing zone forced the Rams into four turnovers and 1-of-3 from the field over a five-minute stretch that saw La Salle pull ahead, 55-54, following a three-pointer by Spencer.
• The two teams traded baskets before a pivotal run of six straight points for Rhode Island put the score at 62-57 with 2:12 remaining.
• La Salle did not quit despite the deficit, pulling to within one following a putback layup by sophomore Ed Croswell with four seconds on the clock.
• Fatts Russell connected on two free throws on the ensuing possession and a length-of-the-floor pass was knocked away in the closing seconds as URI secured the win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• La Salle held URI to just 33.3 percent from the field in the second half and 0-of-5 from three-point range.
• Turnovers were a factor for La Salle, as the team committed a season-high 22 that led to 26 points for the Rams.
• Croswell finished with seven points and nine rebounds, including seven boards at the offensive end.
• The Explorers were without both Jared Kimbrough and Moustapha Diagne, who missed the game with minor injuries. Both are considered day-to-day.

UP NEXT

• La Salle heads to Richmond for another Atlantic 10 battle on Wednesday, Jan. 22. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.