KINGSTON, R.I. – Aaric Murray scored 20 points, including a tie-breaking three-point play with 28 seconds left, to lead La Salle to a 76-75 victory over Rhode Island Saturday.
With the score 73-73, Murray scored on a layup and got fouled by Will Martell on the play. That gave the Explorers (9-11, 1-4 Atlantic 10 Conference) the lead for good. Marquis Jones, who led Rhode Island (12-7, 3-2) with 15 points, hit two free throws with 14 seconds left for the final margin.
Murray's turnover with 11 seconds left gave the Rams hope. But Jones missed a 3-point try and Delroy James, who had 14 rebounds, missed the putback as time expired.
Earl Pettis added 14 points for the Explorers, who broke a two-game skid while snapping the Rams' three-game winning streak. Tyreek Duren had 11 for La Salle.
James, Rhode Island's leading scorer, had 11, nearly seven points below his 17.9-point average.
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