KINGSTON, R.I. – The La Salle men's basketball team battled on Wednesday evening against Rhode Island, a last second attempt falling just short as the Explorers fell 56-54 inside the Ryan Center.
 
The Explorers (6-9, 1-4 A-10) had a quick turnaround to face Rhode Island (12-4, 3-1 A-10), playing for the second time in three days after defeating Saint Joseph's on Monday afternoon.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Explorers fought off a slow start that saw three turnovers on the opening four possessions. After a 7-2 run to open the game for the hosts, Clifton Moore knocked down a three from the wing to cut the lead to two.
• The triple from Moore sparked a 9-0 Explorer run, a pair of Jhamir Brickus free throws pushing the lead to 11-7.
• With the Rams missing six consecutive free throws, the Explorers took advantage on the other end as Josh Nickelberry found the net from range to extend the lead to 18-11. The Explorers pushed the lead to nine after a teardrop from the heavens off the hand of Anwar Gill caressed the bottom of the net for a 22-13 Explorer lead.
• After Christian Ray crashed the board and found an easy put back finish, Khalil Brantley stole the ensuing inbound pass and finished at the rim to earn a double-digit lead.
• Brantley gave the Explorers their largest lead of the half at 33-21 before the hosts used a 6-2 run to close the half, cutting the lead to 35-27 for the Explorers at the break.
• Rhody came out of the half with the edge, starting the half with a 10-2 run to level the scoring at 37 before Jack Clark knocked down a three to give the advantage back to the Explorers.
• Despite La Salle holding the hosts off, the Rams gathered their first lead since early in the first half with 11:02 on the clock.
• The two teams traded back in forth over the course of the next nine minutes, neither team able to extend their lead past one possession. Moore split a pair of free throws at the 1:40 mark, tying the game at 54.
• Ishmael Leggett made a driving layup with 23 seconds on the clock to give the Rams a 56-54 lead, allowing the Explorers to have the final shot.
• The Explorers had three shots on the final possession, Brickus' last second effort clattering off the rim as Rhode Island escaped with a victory to remain unblemished on the year at home.

 
GAME NOTES

• After shooting nearly 50% in the first half, the Explorers cooled down to finish 21-56 (37.5%) from the field. La Salle finished just 3-17 (17.6%) from beyond the arc.
• Moore finished with a team-high 10 points – his fifth-straight game in double figures.
• Clark finished just one point and rebound shy of a double-double, adding nine points while leading the team with nine rebounds.
• The Mitchell brothers led the Rams, both scoring 10 points on the night. Rhode Island shot 22-51 (43.1%), overcoming a disastrous performance at the free throw line (9-22).
• La Salle turned it over 20 times, second-most on the season. Rhody could only produce a 13-11 advantage in points off turnovers despite the seven more takeaways.
• The Explorers dominated the glass, outrebounding the Rams 41-30. La Salle had just 10 points off 14 offensive rebounds.

 
UP NEXT

• The Explorers host Richmond on Saturday, January 22 in a 4:30 p.m. tip.
• The game is set for action on USA Network.